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UNIVERSITY  OF  N.C.  AT  CHAPEL  HILL 


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THOMAS   HORNE 


HELPING  HIMSELF 

Or 

Grant  Thornton's  Ambition 


By  HORATIO  ALGER,  Jr. 

Author  of  *'  Tom  Temple's  Career,"  "  Tom  Thatcher's 

Fortune, ' '  * '  Tom  Turner's  Legacy, ' ' 

Tony  the  Hero, "  etc. ,  etc. 


A.  L.  BURT  COMPANY,  PUBLISHERS 
NEW  YORK 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Arciiive 

in  2011  with  funding  from 

University  of  North  Carolina  at  Chapel  Hill 


http://www.archive.org/details/helpinghimselforOOalge 


HELPING    HIMSELF 


CHAPTER  I 

THE  minister's  SON 

**I  WISH  we  were  not  so  terribly  poor,  Grant," 
said  Mrs.  Thornton,  in  a  discouraged  tone. 

"Is  there  anything  new  that  makes  you  say  so, 
mother?"  answered  the  boy  of  fifteen,  whom  she 
addressed. 

"Nothing  new,  only  the  same  old  trouble.  Here 
is  a  note  from  Mr.  Tudor,  the  storekeeper." 

"Let  me  see  it,  mother." 

Grant  took  a  yellow  envelope  from  his  mother's 
hand,  and  drew  out  the  inclosure,  a  half  sheet  of 
coarse  letter  paper,  which  contained  the  following 
lines : 

July  7,  1857. 
"Rev.  John  Thornton  : 

"Dear  Sir:  Inclosed  you  will  find  a  bill  for 
groceries  and  other  goods  furnished  to  you  in  the 
last  six  months,  amounting  to  sixty-seven  dollars 


2  HELPING   HIMSELF 

and  thirty-four  cents  ($67.34).  It  ought  to  have 
been  paid  before.  How  you,  a  minister  of  the  Gos- 
pel, can  justify  yourself  in  using  goods  which  you 
don't  pay  for,  I  can't  understand.  If  I  remember 
rightly,  the  Bible  says:  'Owe  no  man  anything.' 
As  I  suppose  you  recognize  the  Bible  as  an  author- 
ity, I  expect  you  to  pay  up  promptly,  and  oblige, 
"Yours  respectfully, 

"Thomas  Tudor." 

Grant  looked  vexed  and  indignant.  "I  think 
that  Is  an  impudent  letter,  mother,"  he  said. 

"It  is  right  that  the  man  should  have  his  money. 
Grant." 

"That  is  true,  but  he  might  have  asked  for  it 
civilly,  vvithout  taunting  my  poor  father  with  his 
inability  to  pay.    He  would  pay  if  he  could." 

"Heaven  knows  he  would,  Grant,"  said  his 
mother,  sighing. 

"I  would  like  to  give  Mr.  Tudor  a  piece  of  my 
mind." 

"I  would  rather  pay  his  bill.  No,  Grant,  though 
he  is  neither  kind  nor  considerate,  we  must  admit 
that  his  claim  is  a  just  one.  If  I  only  knew  where 
to  turn  for  money !" 

"Have  you  shown  the  bill  to  father?^  asked 
Grant. 

"No;  you  know  how  unpractical  your  father  is. 
It  would  only  annoy  and  make  him  anxious,  and  he 


HELPING  HIMSELF  3 

would  not  know  what  to  do.  Your  poor  father  has 
no  business  faculty." 

"He  Is  a  very  learned  man,"  said  Grant, 
proudly. 

"Yes,  he  graduated  very  high  at  college,  and  is 
widely  respected  by  his  fellow  ministers,  but  he  has 
no  aptitude  for  business." 

"You  hare,  mother.  If  you  had  been  a  man,  you 
would  have  done  better  than  he.  Without  your 
good  management  we  should  have  been  a  good 
deal  worse  off  than  we  are.  It  is  the  only  thing  that 
has  kept  our  heads  above  water." 

"I  am  glad  you  think  so.  Grant.  I  have  done 
the  best  I  could,  but  no  management  will  pay  bills 
without  money." 

It  was  quite  true  that  the  minister's  wife  was  a 
woman  of  excellent  practical  sense,  who  had  known 
how  to  make  his  small  salary  go  very  far.  In  this 
respect  she  differed  widely  from  her  learned  hus- 
band, who  in  matters  of  business  was  scarcely  more 
than  a  child.  But,  as  she  intimated  with  truth, 
there  was  something  better  than  management,  and 
that  was  ready  cash. 

"To  support  a  family  on  six  hundred  dollars  a 
year  is  very  hard.  Grant,  when  there  are  three  chil- 
dren," resumed  his  mother. 

"I  can't  understand  why  a  man  like  father  can't 
command  a  better  salary,"  said  Grant.  "There's 
Rev.  Mr.  Stentor,  in  Waverley,  gets  fifteen  hun- 


4  HELPING   HIMSELF 

dred  dollars  salary,  and  I  am  sure  he  can't  compare 
with  father  In  ability." 

"True,  Grant,  but  your  father  Is  modest,  and  not 
given  to  blowing  his  own  trumpet,  while  Mr.  Sten- 
tor,  from  all  I  can  hear,  has  a  very  high  opinion  of 
himself." 

"He  has  a  loud  voice,  and  thrashes  round  in  his 
pulpit,  as  if  he  were  a — prophet,"  said  Grant,  not 
quite  knowing  how  to  finish  his  sentence. 

"Your  father  never  was  a  man  to  push  himself 
forward.    He  Is  very  modest." 

"I  suppose  that  Is  not  the  only  bill  that  we  owe," 
said  Grant. 

"No;  our  unpaid  bills  must  amount  to  at  least 
two  hundred  dollars  more,"  answered  his  mother. 

Grant  whistled. 

Two  hundred  and  sixty-seven  dollars  seemed  to 
him  an  Immense  sum,  and  so  It  was,  to  a  poor  min- 
ister with  a  family  of  three  children  and  a  salary 
of  only  six  hundred  dollars.  Where  to  obtain  so 
large  a  sum  neither  Grant  nor  his  mother  could  pos- 
sibly imagine.  Even  If  there  were  anyone  to  bor- 
row it  from,  there  seemed  no  chance  to  pay  back  so 
considerable  a  sum. 

Mother  and  sofi  looked  at  each  other  in  perplex- 
ity.   Finally,  Grant  broke  the  silence. 

"Mother,"  he  said,  "one  thing  seems  pretty 
clear.  I  must  go  to  work.  I  am  fifteen,  well  and 
strong,  and  I  ought  to  be  earning  my  own  living." 


HELPING   HIMSELF  S- 

"But  your  father  has  set  his  heart  upon  your 
going  to  college,  Grant." 

"And  I  should  like  to  go,  too;  but  if  I  did  it 
would  be  years  before  I  could  be  anything  but  an 
expense  and  a  burden,  and  that  would  make  me 
unhappy." 

"You  are  almost  ready  for  college,  Grant,  are 
you  not?" 

"Very  nearly.  I  could  get  ready  for  the  Septem- 
ber examination.  I  have  only  to  review  Homer, 
and  brush  up  my  Latin." 

"And  your  uncle  Godfrey  is  ready  to  help  you 
through." 

"That  gives  me  an  idea,  mother.  It  would  cost 
Uncle  Godfrey  as  much  as  nine  hundred  dollars  a 
year  over  and  above  all  the  help  I  could  get  from 
the  college  funds,  and  perhaps  from  teaching 
school  this  winter.  Now,  if  he  would  allow  me  that 
sum  for  a  single  year  and  let  me  go  to  work,  I  could 
pay  up  all  father's  debts,  and  give  him  a  new  start. 
It  would  save  Uncle  Godfrey  nine  hundred  dol- 
lars." 

"He  has  set  his  heart  on  your  going  to  college. 
I  don't  think  he  would  agree  to  help  you  at  all  If 
you  disappoint  him." 

"At  any  rate,  I  could  try  the  experiment.  Some- 
thing has  got  to  be  done,  mother." 

"Yes,  Grant,  there  is  no  doubt  of  that.  Mr. 
Tudor  is  evidently  in  earnest.    If  we  don't  pay  him^ 


6  HELPING   HIMSELF 

I  think  it  very  likely  he  will  refuse  to  let  us  have 
anything  more  on  credit.  And  you  know  there  is 
no  other  grocery  store  in  the  village." 

"Have  you  any  money  to  pay  him  on  account, 
mother?" 

"I  have  eight  dollars." 

"Let  me  have  that,  and  go  over  and  see  what  I 
can  do  with  him.  We  can't  get  along  without  gro- 
ceries. By  the  way,  mother,  doesn't  the  parish  owe 
father  anything?" 

"They  are  about  sixty  dollars  in  arrears  on  the 
salary." 

"And  the  treasurer  is  Deacon  Gridley?" 

"Yes." 

"Then  I'll  tell  you  what  I  will  do.  I'll  first  go 
over  to  the  deacon's  and  try  to  collect  something. 
Afterward  I  will  call  on  Mr.  Tudor." 

"It  IS  your  father's  place  to  do  it,  but  he  has  no 
business  faculty,  and  could  not  accomplish  any- 
thing.   Go,  then,  Grant,  but  remember  one  thing." 

"What  is  that,  mother?" 

"You  have  a  quick  temper,  my  son.  Don't  allow 
yourself  to  speak  hastily,  or  disrespectfully,  even  if 
you  are  disappointed.  Mr.  Tudor's  bill  is  a  just 
;  one,  and  he  ought  to  have  his  money." 

"I'll  do  the  best  I  can,  mother." 


HELPING  HIMSELF 


CHAPTER  II 

GRANT  MAKES  TWO  BUSINESS  CALLS 

Deacon  Gridley  had  a  small  farm,  and  farm- 
ing was  his  chief  occupation,  but  he  had  a  few 
thousand  dollars  laid  away  in  stocks  and  bonds, 
and,  being  a  thrifty  man,  not  to  say  mean,  he  man- 
aged to  save  up  nearly  all  the  interest,  which  he 
added  to  his  original  accumulation.  He  always 
coveted  financial  trusts,  and  so  it  came  about  that 
he  was  parish  treasurer.  It  was  often  convenient 
for  him  to  keep  in  his  hands,  for  a  month  at  u  time, 
money  thus  collected  which  ought  to  have  been  paid 
over  at  once  to  the  minister,  but  the  deacon  was  a 
thoroughly  selfish  man,  and  cared  little  how  pressed 
for  money  Mr.  Thornton  might  be,  as  long  as  he 
himself  derived  some  benefit  from  holding  on  to  the 
parish  funds. 

The  deacon  was  mowing  the  front  yard  of  his 
house  when  Grant  came  up  to  his  front  gate. 

"Good-raoming,  Deacon  Gridley,"  said  the  min- 
ister's scm. 


8^  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"Mornin',  Grant,"  answered  the  deacon. 
"How's  your  folks?" 

"Pretty  well  In  health,"  returned  Grant,  coming 
to  business  at  once,  "but  rather  short  of  money." 

"Ministers  most  gen'ally  are,"  said  Deacon 
Gridley,  dryly. 

"I  should  think  they  might  be,  with  the  small 
salaries  they  get,"  said  Grant,  indignantly. 

"Some  of  'em  do  get  poorly  paid,"  replied  the 
deacon;  "but  I  call  six  hundred  dollars  a  pooty  fair 
income." 

"It  might  be  for  a  single  man;  but  when  a  min- 
ister has  a  wife  and  three  children,  like  my  father, 
it's  pretty  hard  scratching." 

"Some  folks  ain't  got  faculty,"  said  the  deacon, 
adding,  complacently,  "it  never  cost  me  nigh  on  to 
six  hundred  dollars  a  year  to  live." 

The  deacon  had  the  reputation  of  living  very 
penuriously,  and  Abram  Fish,  who  once  worked  for 
him  and  boarded  in  the  family,  said  he  was  half 
starved  there. 

"You  get  your  milk  and  vegetables  off  the 
farm,"  said  Grant,  who  felt  the  comparison  was 
not  a  fair  one.  "That  makes  a  great  deal  of  differ- 
ence." 

"It  makes  some  difference,"  the  deacon  ad- 
mitted, "but  not  as  much  as  the  difference  in  our  ex- 
penses. I  didn't  spend  more'n  a  hundred  dollars 
cash  last  year." 


HELPING   HIMSELF  9 

This  excessive  frugality  may  have  been  the  rea- 
son why  Mrs.  Deacon  Gridley  was  always  so  shab- 
bily dressed.  The  poor  woman  had  not  had  a  new 
bonnet  for  five  years,  as  every  lady  in  the  parish 
well  knew. 

"Ministers  have  some  expenses  that  other  people 
don't,"  persisted  Grant. 

"What  kind  of  expenses,  I'd  like  to  know?" 

"They  have  to  buy  books  and  magazines,  and 
entertain  missionaries,  and  hire  teams  to  go  on  ex- 
changes." 

"That's  something,"  admitted  the  deacon. 
"Maybe  it  amounts  to  twenty  or  thirty  dollars  a 
year." 

"More  likely  a  hundred,"  said  Grant. 

"That  would  be  awful  extravagant — sinful 
waste.     If  I  was  a  minister,  I'd  be  more  keerful." 

"Well,  Deacon  Gridley,  I  don't  want  to  argue 
with  you.  I  came  to  see  if  you  hadn't  collected 
some  money  for  father.  Mr.  Tudor  has  sent  in 
his  bill,  and  he  wants  to  be  paid." 

"How  much  is  It?" 

"Sixty-seven  dollars  and  thirty-four  cents." 

"You  don't  tell  me !"  said  the  deacon,  scanda- 
lized.    "You  folks  must  be  terrible  extravagant." 

Grant  hardly  knew  whether  to  be  more  vexed  or 
amused. 

"If  wanting  to  have  enough  to  eat  Is  extrava- 
gant," he  said,  "then  we  are." 


10  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"You  must  live  on  the  fat  of  the  land,  Grant." 

"We  haven't  any  of  us  got  the  gout,  nor  are 
likely  to  have,"  answered  Grant,  provoked.  "But 
let  us  come  back  to  business.  Have  you  got  any 
money  for  father?" 

Now  it  so  happened  that  Deacon  Gridley  had 
fifty  dollars  collected,  but  he  thought  he  knew 
where  he  could  let  it  out  for  one  per  cent,  for  a 
month,  and  he  did  not  like  to  lose  the  opportunity. 

"I'm  sorry  to  disapp'int  you.  Grant,"  he  an- 
swered, "but  folks  are  slow  about  payin'  up, 
and " 

"Haven't  you  got  any  money  collected?"  asked 
Grant,  desperately. 

"I'll  tell  you  what  I'll  do,"  said  the  deacon,  witH 
a  bright  idea.  "I've  got  fifty  dollars  of  my  own — 
say  for  a  month,  till  I  can  make  collections.'* 

"That  would  be  very  kind,"  said  Grant,  feeling 
that  he  had  done  the  deacon  an  injustice. 

"Of  course,"  the  deacon  resumed,  hastily,  "I 
should  have  to  charge  interest.  In  fact,  I  was  goin' 
to  lend  out  the  money  to  a  neighbor  for  a  month  at 
one  per  cent. ;  but  I'd  just  as  lieve  let  your  fatlier 
have  it  at  that  price." 

"Isn't  that  more  than  legal  interest?"  asked 
Grant. 

"Well,  you  see,  money  Is  worth  good  interest 
nowadays.  Ef  your  father  don't  want  it,  no  mat- 
ter.   I  can  let  the  other  man  have  It." 


HELPING  HIMSELF  ii 

Grant  rapidly  calculated  that  the  interest  would 
only  amount  to  fifty  cents,  and  money  must  be  had. 

"I  think  father'U  agree  to  your  terms,"  he  said. 
"I'll  let  you  know  this  afternoon." 

"All  right,  Grant.  It  don't  make  a  mite  of  dif- 
ference to  me,  but  if  your  father  wants  the  money 
he'll  have  to  speak  for  it  to-day." 

"I'll  see  that  the  matter  is  attended  to,"  said 
Grant,  and  he  went  on  his  way,  pleased  with  the 
prospect  of  obtaining  money  for  their  impoverished 
household,  even  on  such  hard  terms. 

Next  he  made  his  way  to  Mr.  Tudor's  store. 

It  was  one  of  those  country  variety  stores  where 
almost  everything  in  the  way  of  house  supplies  can 
be  obtained,  from  groceries  to  dry  goods. 

Mr.  Tudor  was  a  small  man,  with  a  parchment 
skin  and  insignificant  features.  He  was  in  the  act  of 
weighing  out  a  quantity  of  sugar  for  a  customer 
when  Grant  entered. 

Grant  waited  till  the  shopkeeper  was  at  leisure. 

"Did  you  want  to  see  me,  Grant?"  said  Tudor. 

"Yes,  Mr.  Tudor.  You  sent  over  a  bill  to  our 
house  this  morning." 

"And  you've  come  to  pay  it.  That's  right. 
Money's  tight,  and  I've  got  bills  to  pay  in  the  city." 

"I've  got  a  little  money  for  you  on  account,"  said 
Grant,  watching  Tudor's  face  anxiously. 

"How  much?"  asked  the  storekeeper,  his  coun-- 
tenance  changing. 


12  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"Eight  dollars." 

"Eight  dollars  !"  ejaculated  Tudor,  indignantly. 
"Only  eight  dollars  out  of  sixty-seven!  That's  a 
regular  imposition,  and  I  don't  care  ef  your  father 
is  a  minister,  I  stick  to  my  words." 

Grant  was  angry,  but  he  remembered  his  moth- 
er's injunction  to  restrain  his  temper. 

"We'd  like  to  pay  the  whole,  Mr.  Tudor,  if  we 
had  the  money,  and " 

"Do  you  think  I  can  trust  the  whole  neighbor- 
hood, and  only  get  one  dollar  in  ten  of  what's  due 
me?"  spluttered  Mr.  Tudor.  "Ministers  ought  to 
set  a  better  example." 

"Ministers  ought  to  get  better  pay,"  said  Grant. 

"There's  plenty  don't  get  as  much  as  your 
father.  When  do  you  expect  to  pay  the  rest,  I'd 
like  to  know?  I  s'pose  you  expect  me  to  go  on 
trustin',  and  mebbe  six  months  from  now  you'll  pay 
me  another  eight  dollars,"  said  the  storekeeper, 
with  withering  sarcasm. 

"I  was  going  to  tell  you,  if  you  hadn't  inter- 
rupted me,"  said  Grant,  "that  we  should  probably 
have  some  more  money  for  you  to-morrow." 

"How  much?" 

"Twenty-five  dollars,"  answered  the  boy,  know- 
ing that  part  of  the  money  borrowed  must  go  in 
other  quarters.    "Will  that  be  satisfactory?" 

"That's  more  like!"  said  Tudor,  calming  down. 
"Ef  you'll  pay  that  I'll  give  you  a  leetle  more  time 


HELPING   HIMSELF  13 

on  the  rest.  Do  you  want  anything  this  momin'  ? 
I've  got  some  prime  butter  just  come  in." 

"I'll  call  for  some  articles  this  afternoon,  Mr. 
Tudor.  Here  are  the  eight  dollars.  Please  credit 
us  with  that  sum." 

"Well,  I've  accomplished  something,"  said 
Grant  to  himself,  as  he  plodded  homeward. 


14  HELPING   HIMSELF 


CHAPTER  III 

GRANT  WALKS  TO  SOMERSET 

Godfrey  Thornton,  Grant's  uncle,  lived  in 
the  neighboring  town  of  Somerset.  He  was  an  old 
bachelor,  three  years  older  than  his  brother,  the 
minister,  and  followed  the  profession  of  a  lawyer. 
His  business  was  not  large,  but  his  habits  were  fru- 
gal, and  he  had  managed  to  save  up  ten  thousand 
dollars.  Grant  had  always  been  a  favorite  with 
him,  and  having  no  son  of  his  own  he  had  formed 
the  plan  of  sending  him  to  college.  He  was  am- 
bitious that  he  should  be  a  professional  man. 

It  might  have  been  supposed  that  he  would  have 
felt  disposed  to  assist  his  brother,  whose  scanty  sal- 
ary he  knew  was  inadequate  to  the  needs  of  a  fam- 
ily. But  Godfrey  Thornton  was  an  obstinate  man, 
and  chose  to  give  assistance  in  his  own  way,  and  no 
other.  It  would  be  a  very  handsome  thing,  he 
thought,  to  give  his  nephew  a  college  education. 
And  so,  indeed,  it  would.  But  he  forgot  one  thing. 
In  families  of  limited  means,  when  a  boy  reaches 
the  age  of  fifteen  or  sixteen  he  is  very  properly  ex- 


HELPING   HIMSELF  15 

pected  to  earn  something  toward  the  family  Income, 
and  this  Grant  could  not  do  while  preparing  for 
college.  If  his  uncle  could  have  made  up  his  mind 
to  give  his  brother  a  small  sum  annually  to  make  up 
for  this,  all  would  have  been  well.  Not  that  this 
Idea  had  suggested  Itself  to  the  Rev.  John  Thorn- 
ton. He  felt  grateful  for  his  brother's  Intentions 
toward  Grant,  and  had  bright  hopes  of  his  boy's 
future.  But,  In  truth,  pecuniary  troubles  affected 
him  less  than  his  wife.  She  was  the  manager,  and 
It  was  for  her  to  contrive  and  be  anxious. 

After  Grant  had  arranged  the  matters  referred 
to  In  the  preceding  chapter,  he  told  his  mother  that 
he  proposed  to  go  to  Somerset  to  call  on  his  uncle. 

"No,  Grant,  I  don't  object,  though  I  should  be 
sorry  to  have  you  lose  the  chance  of  an  education." 

"I  have  a  very  fair  education  already,  mother. 
Of  course  I  should  like  to  go  to  college,  but  I  can't 
bear  to  have  you  and  father  struggling  with  pov- 
erty. If  I  become  a  business  man,  I  may  have  a 
better  chance  to  help  you.  At  any  rate,  I  can  help 
you  sooner.  If  I  can  only  induce  Uncle  Godfrey  to 
give  you  the  sum  my  education  would  cost  him,  I 
shall  feel  perfectly  easy." 

"You  can  make  the  attempt,  my  son,  but  I  have 
doubts  about  your  success." 

Grant,  however,  was  more  hopeful.  He  didn't 
see  why  his  uncle  should  object,  and  it  would  cost 
him  no  more  money.    It  seemed  to  him  very  plain 


1 6  HELPING   HIMSELF 

sailing,  and  he  set  out  to  walk  to  Somerset,  full  of 
courage  and  hope. 

It  was  a  pretty  direct  road,  and  the  distance — 
five  miles — was  not  formidable  to  a  strong-limbed 
boy  like  Grant.  In  an  hour  and  a  half  he  entered 
the  village,  and  soon  reached  the  small  one-story 
building  which  served  his  uncle  as  an  office. 

Entering,  he  saw  his  uncle  busy  with  some 
papers  at  his  desk. 

The  old  lawyer  raised  his  eyes  as  the  door 
opened. 

"So  It's  you,  Grant,  Is  It?"  he  said.  "Nobody 
sick  at  home,  eh?" 

"No,  Uncle  Godfrey,  we  are  all  well." 

"I  was  afraid  some  one  might  be  sick,  from  your 
coming  over.  However,  I  suppose  you  have  some 
errand  In  Somerset." 

"My  only  errand  is  to  call  upon  you,  uncle." 

"I  suppose  I  am  to  consider  that  a  compliment," 
said  the  old  bachelor,  not  ill  pleased.  "Well,  and 
when  are  you  going  to  be  ready  for  college?" 

"I  can  be  ready  to  enter  In  September,"  replied 
Grant. 

"That  Is  good.  All  you  will  have  to  do  will  be 
to  present  yourself  for  examination.  I  shall  see  you 
through,  as  I  have  promised." 

"You  are  very  kind.  Uncle  Godfrey,"  said 
Grant;  and  then  he  hesitated. 

"It's  Thornton  family  pride.  Grant.    I  want  my 


HELPING   HIMSELF  17 

nephew  to  be  somebody.  I  want  you  to  be  a  pro% 
fesslonal  man,  and  take  a  prominent  place  in  the 
world." 

"Can't  I  be  somebody  without  becoming  a  pro- 
fessional man,  or " 

"Or,  what?"  asked  his  uncle,  abruptly. 

"Getting  a  college  education?"  continued  Grant. 

"What  does  this  mean?"  asked  the  old  lawyer, 
knitting  his  brow.  "You're  not  getting  off  the  no- 
tion of  going  to  college,  I  hope?" 

"I  should  like  to  go  to  college,  uncle." 

"I'm  glad  to  hear  that,"  said  Godfrey  Thornton, 
relieved.  "I  thought  you  might  want  to  grow  up  a 
dunce,  and  become  a  bricklayer  or  something  of 
that  kind." 

Somehow  Grant's  task  began  to  seem  more  diffi- 
cult than  he  had  anticipated. 

"But,"  continued  Grant,  summoning  up  his  cour- 
age, "I  am  afraid  it  will  be  rather  selfish." 

"I  can't  say  I  understand  you,  Grant.  As  long 
as  I  am  willing  to  pay  your  college  bills,  I  don't  see 
why  there  is  anything  selfish  in  your  accepting  my 
offer." 

"I  mean  as  regards  father  and  mother." 

"Don't  I  take  you  off  their  hands  ?  What  do  you 
mean?" 

"I  mean  this.  Uncle  Godfrey,"  said  Grant,  bold- 
ly, "I  ought  to  be  at  work  earning  money  to  keep 
them.    Father's  Income  Is  very  small,  and " 


i8  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"You  don't  mean  to  say  you  want  to  give  up 
going  to  college?"  said  Godfrey  Thornton,  hastily. 

"I  think  I  ought  to,  uncle." 

"Why?" 

"So  that  I  can  find  work  and  help  father  along. 
You  see,  I  should  be  four  years  in  college,  and  three 
years  studying  a  profession,  and  all  that  time  my 
brother  and  sister  would  be  growing  older  and 
more  expensive,  and  father  would  be  getting  into 

debt:" 

Uncle  Godfrey's  brow  wore  a  perceptible  frown. 

"Tell  me  who  has  put  this  idea  into  your  head?" 
he  said.     "I  am  sure  it  isn't  your  father." 

"No  one  put  it  into  my  head.  Uncle  Godfrey. 
It's  my  own  idea." 

"Humph !  old  heads  don't  grow  on  young  dlioul- 
ders,  evidently.  You  are  a  foolish  boy,  Grant. 
With  a  liberal  education  you  can  do  something  for 
your  family." 

"But  it  is  so  long  to  wait,"  objected  Grant. 

"It  will  be  a  great  disappointment  to  me  to  have 
you  give  up  going  to  college,  but  of  course  I  can't 
force  you  to  go,"  said  his  uncle,  coldly.  "It  will 
save  me  three  hundred  dollars  a  year  for  four 
years — I  may  say  for  seven,  however.  You  will  be 
throwing  away  a  grand  opportunity." 

"Don't  think  I  undervalue  the  advantage  of  a 
college  training,  uncle,"  said  Grant,  eagerly.  "It 
isn't  that.     It's  because  I  thought  I  might  help 


HELPING   HIMSELF  19 

father.  In  fact,  I — ^wanted  to  make  a  proposal  to 
you." 

"What  Is  It?" 

"You  say  it  will  cost  three  hundred  dollars  a  year 
to  keep  me  In  college?" 

"Well?" 

"Would  you  be  willing  to  give  father  two  hun- 
dred a  year  for  the  next  four  years,  and  let  me  take 
care  of  myself  In  some  business  place  ?" 

"So  this  Is  your  proposal,  Is  It?" 

"Yes,  sir." 

"All  I  have  got  to  say  Is,  that  you  have  got  un- 
common assurance.  You  propose  to  defeat  my 
cherished  plan,  and  want  me  to  pay  two  hundred 
dollars  a  year  In  acknowledgment  of  your  consid- 
eration." 

"I  am  sorry  you  look  upon  It  In  that  light,  Uncle 
Godfrey." 

"I  distinctly  decline  your  proposal.  If  you  re- 
fuse to  go  to  college,  I  wash  my  hands  of  you  and 
your  family.    Do  you  understand  that?" 

"Yes,  Uncle  Godfrey,"  answered  Grant,  crest- 
fallen. 

^^Go  home  and  think  over  the  matter.  My  offer 
^  still  holds  good.  You  can  present  yourself  at  col- 
lege In  September,  and,  If  you  are  admitted,  notify 
me." 

The  lawyer  turned  back  to  his  writing,  and 
Grant  understood  that  the  interview  was  over. 


20  HELPING   HIMSELF 

In  sadness  he  started  on  his  return  walk  from 
Somerset.  He  had  accomplished  nothing  except  to 
make  his  uncle  angry.  He  could  not  make  up  his 
mind  what  to  do. 

He  had  walked  about  four  miles  when  his  atten- 
tion was  sharply  drawn  by  a  cry  of  terror.  Look- 
ing up  quickly,  he  saw  a  girl  of  fourteen  flying 
along  the  road  pursued  by  a  drunken  man  armed 
with  a  big  club.  They  were  not  more  than  thirty 
feet  apart,  and  the  situation  was  critical. 

Grant  was  no  coward,  and  he  Instantly  resolved 
to  rescue  the  girl  if  it  were  a  possible  thing. 


HELPING  HIMSELF  21 


CHAPTER  ly 

A  TIMELY  RESCUE 

"I  WILL  save  her  if  I  can,"  said  Grant  to  him- 
self. 

The  task,  however,  was  not  an  easy  one.  The 
drunken  man  was  tall  and  strongly  made,  and  his 
condition  did  not  appear  to  interfere  with  his  loco- 
motion. He  was  evidently  half  crazed  with  drink, 
and  his  pursuit  of  the  young  girl  arose  probably 
from  a  blind  impulse ;  but  it  was  likely  to  be  none 
the  less  serious  for  her.  Grant  saw  at  once  that  he 
was  far  from  being  a  match  for  the  drunkard  in 
physical  strength.  It  he  had  been  timid,  a  regard 
for  his  personal  safety  would  have  led  him  to  keep 
aloof.  But  he  would  have  despised  himself  if  he 
had  not  done  what  he  could  for  the  girl — stranger 
though  she  was — who  was  in  such  peril. 

It  chanced  that  Grant  had  cut  a  stout  stick  to 
help  him  on  his  way.  This  suggested  his  plan  of 
campaign.  He  ran  sideways  toward  the  pursuer, 
and  thrust  his  stick  between  his  legs,  tripping  him 


22  HELPING  HIMSELF 

up.  The  man  fell  violently  forward,  and  lay  as  if 
stunned,  breathing  heavily.  Grant  was  alarmed  at 
first,  fearing  that  he  might  be  seriously  hurt,  but  a 
glance  assured  him  that  his  stupor  was  chiefly  the 
result  of  his  potations. 

Then  he  hurried  to  overtake  the  girl,  who,  seeing 
what  had  taken  place,  had  paused  in  her  flight.  . 

"Don't  be  frightened,"  said  Grant.  "The  man 
can't  get  up  at  present.  I  will  see  you  home  if  you 
will  tell  me  where  you  live." 

"I  am  boarding  at  Mrs.  Granger's,  quarter  of  a 
mile  back,  mamma  and  I,"  answered  the  girl,  the 
color,  temporarily  banished  by  fright,  returning  to 
her  cheeks. 

"Where  did  you  fall  in  with  this  man?"  Inquired 
Grant. 

"I  was  taking  a  walk,"  answered  the  girl,  "and 
overtook  him.  I  did  not  take  much  notice  of  him 
at  first,  and  was  not  aware  of  his  condition  till  he 
began  to  run  after  me.  Then  I  was  almost  fright- 
ened to  death,  and  I  don't  think  I  ever  ran  so  fast 
in  my  life." 

"You  were  in  serious  danger.  He  was  fast  over- 
taking you." 

"I  saw  that  he  was,  and  I  believe  I  should  have 
dropped  if  you  had  not  come  up  and  saved  me. 
How  brave  you  were  I" 

Grant  colored  with  pleasure,  though  he  disclaim- 
ed the  praise. 


HELPING   HIMSELF  23 

"Oh,  it  was  nothing!"  he  said,  modestly.  "But 
we  had  better  start  at  once,  for  he  may  revive." 

"Oh,  let  us  go  then,"  exclaimed  the  girl  in  terror, 
and,  hardly  knowing  what  she  did,  she  seized 
Grant's  arm.  "See,  he  is  beginning  to  stir.  Do 
come  quickly!" 

Clinging  to  Grant's  arm,  the  two  hastened  away, 
leaving  the  inebriate  on  the  ground. 

Grant  now  had  leisure  to  view  more  closely  the 
girl  he  had  rescued.  She  was  a  very  pretty  girl,  a 
year  or  two  younger  than  himself,  with  a  bright, 
vivacious  manner,  and  her  young  rescuer  thought 
her  very  attractive. 

"Do  you  live  round  here?"  she  asked. 

"I  live  in  Colebrook,  the  village  close  by.  I  was 
walking  from  Somerset." 

"I  should  like  to  know  the  name  of  the  one  who 
has  done  me  so  great  a  service." 

"We  will  exchange  names,  if  you  like,"  said 
Grant,  smiling.  "My  name  is  Grant  Thornton.  I 
am  the  son  of  Rev.  John  Thornton,  who  is  minister 
in  Colebrook." 

"So  you  are  a  minister's  son.  I  have  always 
heard  that  minister's  sons  are  apt  to  be  wild,"  said 
the  girl,  smiling  mischievously. 

"I  am  an  exception,"  said  Grant,  demurely. 

"I  am  ready  to  believe  it,"  returned  his  compan- 
ion.   "My  name  is  Carrie  Clifton;  my  mother  is  a 


24  HELPING  HIMSELF 

minister's  daughter,  so  I  have  a  right  to  think  well 
of  ministers'  families." 

"How  long  have  you  been  boarding  in  this  neigh- 
borhood, Miss  Carrie?" 

"Only  a  week.  I  am  afraid  I  shan't  dare  to  stay 
here  any  longer." 

"It  is  not  often  you  would  meet  with  such  an  ad- 
venture as  this.  I  hope  you  won't  allow  it  to 
frighten  you  away." 

"Do  you  know  that  drunken  man?  Does  he  live 
near  by?" 

"I  think  he  is  a  stranger — a  tramp.  I  never  saw 
him  before,  and  I  know  almost  everybody  who 
lives  about  here." 

"I  am  glad  he  doesn't  live  here." 

"He  will  probably  push  on  his  way  and  not  come 
this  way  again  during  the  summer." 

"I  hope  you  are  right.  He  might  try  to  revenge 
himself  on  you  for  tripping  him  up." 

"I  don't  think  he  saw  me  to  recognize  me.  He 
was  so  drunk  that  he  didn't  know  what  he  was 
about.  When  he  gets  over  his  intoxication  he  prob- 
ably won't  remember  anything  that  has  happened." 

By  this  time  they  had  reached  the  gate  of  the 
farmhouse  where  Carrie  was  boarding,  and  Grant 
prepared  to  leave  her. 

"I  think  you  are  safe  now,"  he  said. 

"Oh,  but  I  shan't  let  you  go  yet,"  said  the  girl. 
"You  must  come  in  and  see  mother." 


HELPING   HIMSELF  25 

Grant  hesitated,  but  he  felt  that  he  should  like 
to  meet  the  mother  of  a  young  lady  who  seemed  to 
him  so  attractive,  and  he  allowed  himself  to  be  led 
into  the  yard.  Mrs.  Clifton  was  sitting  in  a  rustic 
chair  under  a  tree  behind  the  house.  There  Grant 
and  his  companion  found  her.  Carrie  poured  forth 
her  story  impetuously,  and  then  drawing  Grant  for- 
ward, indicated  him  as  her  rescuer. 

Her  mother  listened  with  natural  alarm,  shud- 
dering at  the  peril  from  which  her  daughter  had  so 
happily  escaped. 

"I  cannot  tell  how  grateful  I  am  to  you  for  the 
service  you  have  done  my  daughter,"  she  said, 
warmly.  "You  are  a  very  brave  boy.  There  is  not 
one  In  ten  who  would  have  had  the  courage  to  act 
as  you  did." 

"You  praise  me  more  than  I  deserve,  Mrs.  Clif- 
ton. I  saw  the  man  was  drunk,  and  I  did  not  really 
run  much  risk  In  what  I  did.  I  am  very  thankful 
that  I  was  able  to  be  of  service  to  Miss  Carrie." 

"It  is  most  fortunate  that  you  were  at  hand.  My 
daughter  might  have  been  killed." 

"What  do  you  think,  mother?  He  Is  a  minister's 
son,"  said  Carrie,  vivaciously. 

"That  certainly  Is  no  objection  In  my  eyes,"  said 
Mrs.  Chfton,  smiling,  "for  I  am  a  minister's 
daughter.    Where  does  your  father  preach?" 

"His  church  Is  only  a  mile  distant,  In  the  vil- 
lage." 


26  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"I  shall  hear  him,  then,  next  Sunday.  Last  Sun- 
day Carrie  and  I  were  both  tired,  and  remained  at 
home,  but  I  have  always  been  accustomed  to  go  to 
church  somewhere." 

"Papa  will  be  here  next  Sunday,"  said  Carrie. 
"He  can  only  come  Saturday  night  on  account  of 
his  business." 

"Does  he  do  business  in  New  York?"  asked 
Grant. 

"Yes;  his  store  is  on  Broadway." 

"We  live  on  Madison  Avenue,  and  whenever 
you  are  in  the  city  we  shall  be  very  glad  to  hare  you 
call,"  said  Mrs.  Clifton,  graciously. 

"Thank  you;  I  should  like  to  call  very  much," 
answered  Grant,  who  was  quite  sincere  in  what  he 
said.    "But  I  don't  often  go  to  New  York." 

"Perhaps  you  will  get  a  place  there  some  time," 
suggested  Carrie. 

"I  should  like  to,"  replied  Grant. 

"Then  your  father  does  not  propose  to  send  you 
to  college?"    It  was  Mrs.  Clifton  who  said  this. 

"He  wishes  me  to  go,  but  I  think  I  ought  to  go 
to  work  to  help  him.  He  has  two  other  children 
besides  me." 

"Is  either  one  a  girl?"  asked  Carrie. 

"Yes;  I  have  a  sister  of  thirteen,  named  Mary." 

"I  wish  you  would  bring  her  here  to  see  me," 
said  Carrie.  "I  haven't  got  acquainted  with  any 
girls  yet." 


\ 


HELPING  HIMSELF  27 

Mrs.  Clifton  seconded  the  invitation,  and  Grant 
promised  that  he  would  do  so.  In  fact,  he  was 
pleased  at  the  opportunity  it  would  give  him  of  im- 
proving his  acquaintance  with  the  young  lady  from 
New  York.  He  returned  home  very  well  pleased 
with  his  trip  to  Somerset,  though  he  had  failed  in 
the  object  of  his  expedition. 


28  HELPING  HIMSELF 


CHAPTER  V 

i 

MRS.  Thornton's  pearls 

The  next  Sunday  Mrs.  Clifton  and  her  daugh- 
ter appeared  at  church,  and  Grant  had  the  pleasure 
of  greeting  them.  He  was  invited  with  his  sister 
to  take  supper  with  them  on  the  next  Monday 
afternoon,  and  accepted  the  invitation.  About  sun- 
set he  met  his  new  friends  walking,  with  the  addi- 
tion of  the  husband  and  father,  who,  coming  Satur- 
day evening  from  New  York,  had  felt  too  fatigued 
to  attend  church.  Mr.  Clifton,  to  whom  he  was 
introduced,  was  a  portly  man  in  middle  life,  who 
received  Grant  quite  graciously,  and  made  for  him- 
self acknowledgment  of  the  service  which  our  hero 
had  rendered  his  daughter. 

"If  I  ever  have  the  opportunity  of  doing  you  a 
favor.  Master  Thornton,  you  may  call  upon  me 
with  confidence,"  he  said. 

Grant  thanked  him,  and  was  better  pleased  than 
if  he  had  received  an  immediate  gift. 

Meanwhile  Deacon  Gridley  kept  his  promise, 
and  advanced  the  minister  fifty  dollars,  deducting 


HELPING   HIiMSELF  29 

a  month's  interest.  Even  with  this  deduction  Mrs. 
Thornton  was  very  glad  to  obtain  the  money.  Part 
of  It  was  paid  on  account  to  Mr.  Tudor,  and" 
silenced  his  importunities  for  a  time.  As  to  his 
own  plans,  there  was  nothing  for  Grant  to  do  ex- 
cept to  continue  his  studies,  as  he  might  enter  col- 
lege after  all. 

If  any  employment  should  offer  of  a  remunera- 
tive character,  he  felt  that  it  would  be  his  duty  to 
accept  it,  in  spite  of  his  uncle's  objections;  but  such 
chances  were  not  very  likely  to  happen  while  he  re- 
mained in  the  country,  for  obvious  reasons. 

Three  weeks  passed,  and  again  not  only  Mr. 
Tudor,  but  another  creditor,  began  to  be  trouble- 
some. 

"How  soon  is  your  father  going  to  pay  up  his 
bill?"  asked  Tudor,  when  Grant  called  at  the  store 
for  a  gallon  of  molasses. 

"Very  soon,  I  hope,"  faltered  Grant. 

"I  hope  so,  too,"  answered  the  grocer,  grimly. 

"Only  three  weeks  ago  I  paid  you  thirty-three 
dollars,"  said  Grant. 

"And  you  have  been  increasing  the  balance  ever 
since,"  said  Tudor,  frowning. 

"If  father  could  get  his  salary  regularly " 

commenced  Grant. 

"That's  his  affair,  not  mine,"  rejoined  the 
grocer.  "I  have  to  pay  my  bills  regular,  and  I 
can't  afford  to  wait  months  for  my  pay." 


30 '  HELPING   HIMSELF 

Grant  looked  uncomfortable,  but  did  not  know 
what  to  say. 

"The  short  and  the  long  of  it  is,  that  after  this 
week  your  father  must  either  pay  up  his  bill,  or  pay 
cash  for  what  articles  he  gets  hereafter." 

"Very  well,"  said  Grant,  coldly.  He  was  too 
proud  to  remonstrate.  Moreover,  though  he  felt 
angry,  he  was  constrained  to  admit  that  the  grocer 
had  some  reason  for  his  course. 

"Something  must  be  done,"  he  said  to  himself, 
but  he  was  not  wise  enough  to  decide  what  that 
something  should  be. 

Though  he  regretted  to  pain  his  mother,  he  felt 
obliged  to  report  to  her  what  the  grocer  had  said. 

"Don't  be  troubled,  mother,"  he  said,  as  he  no- 
ticed the  shade  of  anxiety  which  came  over  her 
face.    "Something  will  turn  up." 

Mrs.  Thornton  shook  her  head. 

"It  isn't  safe  to  trust  to  that,  Grant,"  she  said; 
"we  must  help  ourselves." 

"I  wish  I  knew  how,"  said  Grant,  perplexed. 

"I  am  afraid  I  shall  have  to  make  a  sacrifice," 
said  Mrs.  Thornton,  not  addressing  Grant,  but 
rather  in  soliloquy. 

Grant  looked  at  his  mother  in  surprise.  What 
sacrifice  could  she  refer  to?  Did  she  mean  that 
they  must  move  into  a  smaller  house,  and  retrench 
generally  ?    That  was  all  that  occurred  to  him. 


HELPING   HIMSELF  31 

"We  might,  perhaps,  move  into  a  smaller  houscy 
mother,"  said  he,  "but  we  have  none  too  much 
room  here,  and  the  difference  in  rent  wouldn't  be 
much." 

"I  didn't  mean  that,  Grant.  Listen,  and  I  will 
tell  you  what  I  do  mean.  You  know  that  I  was 
named  after  a  rich  lady,  the  friend  of  my  mother?" 

"I  have  heard  you  say  so." 

"When  she  died,  she  left  me  by  will  a  pearl  neck- 
lace and  pearl  bracelets,  both  of  very  considerable 
value." 

"I  have  never  seen  you  wear  them,  mother." 

"No;  I  have  not  thought  they  would  be  suitable 
for  the  wife  of  a  poor  minister.  My  wearing  them 
would  excite  unfavorable  comment  in  the  parish." 

"I  don't  see  whose  business  it  would  be,"  said 
Grant,  indignantly. 

"At  any  rate,  just  or  not,  I  knew  what  would  be 
said,"  Mrs.  Thornton  replied. 

"How  is  it  you  have  never  shown  the  pearl  orna- 
ments tome,  mother?" 

"You  were  only  five  years  old  when  they  came  to 
me,  and  I  laid  them  away  at  once,  and  have  seldom 
thought  of  them  since.  I  have  been  thinking  that, 
as  they  are  of  no  use  to  me,  I  should  be  justified  in 
selling  them  for  what  I  can  get,  and  appropriating 
the  proceeds  toward  paying  your  father's  debts." 

"How  much  do  you  think  they  are  worth, 
mother?** 


32  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"A  lady  to  whom  I  showed  them  once  said  they 
must  have  cost  five  hundred  dollars  or  more." 

Grant  whistled. 

"Do  you  mind  showing  them  to  me,  mother?" 
he  asked. 

Mrs.  Thornton  went  upstairs,  and  brought  down 
the  pearl  necklace  and  bracelets.  They  were  very 
handsome  and  Grant  gazed  at  them  with  admira- 
tion. 

"I  wonder  what  the  ladies  would  say  if  you 
should  wear  them  to  the  sewing  circle,"  he  said, 
humorously. 

"They  would  think  I  was  going  over  to  the  vani- 
ties of  this  world,"  responded  his  mother,  smiling. 
"They  can  be  of  no  possible  use  to  me  now,  or  here- 
after, and  I  believe  it  will  be  the  best  thing  I  can  do 
to  sell  them." 

"Where  can  you  sell  them?  No  one  here  can 
afford  to  buy  them." 

"They  must  be  sold  in  New  York,  and  I  must  de- 
pend upon  you  to  attend  to  the  business  for  me." 

"Can  you  trust  me,  mother?  Wouldn't 
father " 

"Your  father  has  no  head  for  business.  Grant. 
He  is  a  learned  man,  and  knows  a  great  deal  about 
books,  but  of  practical  matters  he  knows  very  little. 
You  are  only  a  boy,  but  you  are  a  very  sensible  and 
trustworthy  boy,  and  I  shall  have  to  depend  upon 
you." 


HELPING   HIMSELF  33 

"I  will  do  the  best  I  can,  mother.  Only  tell  me 
what  you  want  me  to  do." 

"I  wish  you  to  take  these  pearls,  and  go  to  New 
York.  You  can  find  a  purchaser  there,  If  anywhere, 
I  suppose  it  will  be  best  to  take  them  to  some  jew- 
elry store,  and  drive  the  best  bargain  you  can." 

"When  do  you  wish  me  to  go,  mother?" 

"There  can  be  no  advantage  in  delay.  If  to- 
morrow is  pleasant,  you  may  as  well  go  then." 

"Shall  you  tell  father  your  plan?" 

"No,  Grant,  it  might  make  him  feel  bad  to  think 
I  was  compelled  to  make  a  sacrifice,  which,  after 
all,  is  very  little  of  a  sacrifice  to  me.  Years  since  I 
decided  to  trouble  him  as  little  as  possible  with  mat- 
ters of  business.  It  could  do  no  good,  and,  by  mak- 
ing him  anxious,  unfitted  him  for  his  professional 
work." 

Mrs.  Thornton's  course  may  not  be  considered 
wise  by  some,  but  she  knew  her  husband's  peculiar 
mental  constitution,  and  her  object  at  least  was 
praiseworthy,  to  screen  him  from  undue  anxiety, 
though  It  involved  an  extra  share  for  herself. 

The  next  morning  Grant  took  an  early  break- 
fast, and  walked  briskly  toward  the  depot  to  take 
the  first  train  for  New  York. 

The  fare  would  be  a  dollar  and  a  quarter  each 
way,  for  the  distance  was  fifty  miles,  and  this  both 
he  and  his  mother  felt  to  be  a  large  outlay.     If, 


34  HELPING   HIMSELF 

however,  he  succeeded  in  his  errand  it  would  be 
wisely  spent,  and  this  was  their  hope. 

At  the  depot  Grant  found  Tom  Calder,  a  youth 
of  eighteen,  who  had  the  reputation  of  being  wild, 
and  had  been  suspected  of  dishonesty.  He  had 
been  employed  in  the  city,  so  that  Grant  was  not 
surprised  to  meet  him  at  the  depot. 

"Hello,  Grant!  Where  are  you  bound?"  he 
asked. 

"I  am  going  to  New  York." 

"What  for?" 

"A  little  business,"  Grant  answered,  evasively. 
Tom  was  the  last  person  he  felt  Inclined  to  take 
into  his  confidence. 

"Goin'  to  try  to  get  a  place?" 

"If  any  good  chance  offers  I  shall  accept  it — that 
is,  if  father  and  mother  are  willing." 

"Let's  take  a  seat  together — that's  what  I'm 
going  for  myself." 


HELPING  HIMSELF  35: 


CHAPTER  VI 

GRANT  GETS  INTO  UNEXPECTED  TROUBLE 

Tom  "Calder  was  not  the  companion  Grant 
would  have  chosen,  but  there  seemed  no  good  ex- 
cuse for  declining  his  company.  He  belonged  to  a 
rather  disreputable  family  living  in  the  borders  of 
the  village.  If  this  had  been  all,  It  would  not  have 
been  fair  to  object  to  him,  but  Tom  himself  bore 
not  a  very  high  reputation.  He  had  been  suspected 
more  than  once  of  stealing  from  his  school  com- 
panions, and  when  employed  for  a  time  by  Mr. 
Tudor,  in  the  village  store,  the  latter  began  to  miss 
money  from  the  till;  but  Tom  was  so  sly  that  he 
had  been  unable  to  bring  the  theft  home  to  him. 
However,  he  thought  it  best  to  dispense  with  his 
services. 

"What  kind  of  a  situation  are  you  goln'  to  try 
for?"  asked  Tom,  when  they  were  fairly  on  their 
way. 

"I  don't  know.  They  say  that  beggars  mustn't 
be  choosers." 


36  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"I  want  to  get  into  a  broker's  office  if  I  can," 
said  Tom. 

"Do  you  consider  that  a  very  good  business?" 
asked  Grant. 

"I  should  say  so,"  responded  Tom,  emphati- 
cally. 

"Do  they  pay  high  wages?" 

"Not  extra,  but  a  feller  can  get  points,  and  make 
something  out  of  the  market." 

"What's  that?"  asked  Grant,  puzzled. 

"Oh,  I  forgot.  You  ain't  used  to  the  city,"  re- 
sponded Tom,  emphatically.  "I  mean,  you  find  out 
when  a  stock  is  going  up,  and  you  buy  for  a  rise." 

"But  doesn't  that  take  considerable  money?" 
asked  Grant,  wondering  how  Tom  could  raise 
money  to  buy  stocks. 

"Oh,  you  can  go  to  the  bucket  shops,"  answered 
Tom. 

"But  what  have  bucket  shops  to  do  with  stocks  ?" 
asked  Grant,  more  than  ever  puzzled. 

Tom  burst  Into  a  loud  laugh. 

"Ain't  you  jolly  green,  though?"  he  ejaculated. 

Grant  was  rather  nettled  at  this. 

"I  don't  see  how  I  could  be  expected  to  under- 
stand such  talk,"  he  said,  with  some  asperity. 

"That's  where  It  Is — you  can't,"  said  Tom.  "It's 
all  like  A,  B,  C  to  me,  and  I  forgot  that  you  didn't 
know  anything  about  Wall  Street.  A  bucket  shop 
is  where  you  can  buy  stock  in  small  lots,  putting 


HELPING   HIMSELF  37 

down  a  dollar  a  share  as  margin.  If  stocks  go  up^ 
you  sell  out  on  the  rise,  and  get  back  your  dollar 
minus  commission." 

"Suppose  they  go  down  ?" 

"Then  you  lose  what  you  put  up." 

"Isn't  it  rather  risky?" 

"Of  course  there's  some  risk,  but  If  you  have  a 
good  point  there  isn't  much." 

This  was  Tom  Calder's  view  of  the  matter.  As 
a  matter  of  fact,  the  great  majority  of  those  who 
visit  the  bucket  shops  lose  all  they  put  in,  and  are 
likely  sooner  or  later  to  get  into  difficulty;  so  that 
many  employers  will  at  once  discharge  a  clerk  or 
boy  known  to  speculate  in  this  way. 

"If  I  had  any  money  I'd  buy  some  stock  to-day; 
that  is,  as  soon  as  I  get  to  the  city,"  continued  Tom. 
"You  couldn't  lend  me  five  dollars,  could  you?" 

"No,  I  couldn't,"  answered  Grant,  shortly. 

"I'd  give  you  half  the  profits." 

"I  haven't  got  the  money,"  Grant  explained. 

"That's  a  pity.  The  fact  is,  I'm  rather  short. 
However,  I  know  plenty  of  fellows  in  the  city,  and 
I  guess  I  can  raise  a  tenner  or  so." 

"Then  your  credit  must  be  better  In  New  York 
than  in  Colebrook,"  thought  Grant,  but  he  fore- 
bore  to  say  so. 

Grant  was  rather  glad  the  little  package  of 
pearls  was  In  the  pocket  furthest  away  from  Tom^ 


38  HELPING   HIMSELF 

for  his  opinion  of  his  companion's  honesty  was  not 
the  highest. 

When  half  an  hour  had  passed,  Tom  yacated  his 
seat. 

"I'm  going  into  the  smoking  car,"  he  said,  "to 
have  a  smoke.    Won't  you  come  with  me?" 

"No,  thank  you.    I  don't  smoke."  * 

"Then  it's  time  you  began.  I've  got  a  cigarette 
for  you,  If  you'll  try  it." 

"Much  obliged,  but  I  am  better  off  without  it." 

"You'll  soon  get  over  that  little-boy  feeling. 
Why,  boys  in  the  city  of  half  your  age  smoke." 

"I  am  sorry  to  hear  it." 

"Well,  ta-ta !    I'll  be  back  soon." 

Grant  was  not  sorry  to  have  Tom  leave  him.  He 
didn't  enjoy  his  company,  and  besides  he  foresaw 
that  it  would  be  rather  embarrassing  If  Tom  should 
take  a  fancy  to  remain  with  him  in  the  city.  He 
didn't  care  to  have  anyone,  certainly  not  Tom, 
learn  on  what  errand  he  had  come  to  the  city. 

Two  minutes  had  scarcely  elapsed  after  Tom 
vacated  his  seat,  when  a  pleasant-looking  gentle- 
man of  middle  age,  who  had  been  sitting  just  be- 
hind them,  rose  and  took  the  seat  beside  Grant. 

"I  will  sit  with  you  If  you  don't  object,"  said  he. 

"I  should  be  glad  of  your  company,"  said  Grant, 
politely. 

"You  live  In  the  country,  I  infer?'* 

"Yes,  sir." 


HELPING   HIMSELF  39 

"I  overheard  your  conversation  with  the  young 
man  who  has  just  left  you.  I  suspect  you  are  not 
very  much  alike." 

"I  hope  not,  sir.  Perhaps  Tom  would  say  the 
same,  for  he  thinks  me  green." 

"There  is  such  a  thing  as  knowing  too  much — 
that  isn't  desirable  to  know.    So  you  don't  smoke  ?" 

"No,  sir." 

"I  wish  more  boys  of  your  age  could  say  as 
much.  Do  I  understand  that  you  are  going  to  the 
city  in  search  of  employment?" 

"That  is  not  my  chief  errand,"  answered  Grant, 
with  some  hesitation.  "Still,  if  I  could  hear  of  a 
good  chance,  I  might  induce  my  parents  to  let  me 
accept  it." 

"Where  do  you  live,  my  young  friend?" 

"In  Colebrook.  My  father  is  the  minister  there." 

"That  ought  to  be  a  recommendation,  for  it  is  to 
be  supposed  you  have  been  carefully  trained.  Some 
of  our  most  successful  business  men  have  been  min- 
isters' sons," 

"Are  you  in  business  in  New  York,  sir?"  asked 
Grant,  thinking  he  had  a  right  by  this  time  to  ask  a 
question. 

"Yes;  here  is  my  card." 

Taking  the  card.  Grant  learned  that  his  compan- 
ion was  Mr.  Henry  Reynolds  and  was  a  broker, 
with  an  office  in  New  Street. 


40  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"I  see  you  are  a  broker,  sir,"  said  Grant.  "Tom 
Calder  wants  to  get  a  place  in  a  broker's  office." 

"I  should  prefer  that  he  would  try  some  other 
broker,"  said  Mr.  Reynolds,  smiling.  "I  don't 
want  a  boy  who  deals  with  the  bucket  shops." 

At  this  point  Tom  re-entered  the  c^r,  having  fin- 
ished his  cigarette.  Observing  that  his  place  had 
been  taken,  he  sat  down  at  a  little  distance. 

"When  you  get  ready  to  take  a  place,"  said  the 
broker,  "call  at  my  office,  and  though  I  won't  prom- 
ise to  give  you  a  place,  I  shall  feel  well  disposed  to 
if  I  can  make  room  for  you." 

"Thank  you,  sir,"  said  Grant,  gratefully.  "I 
hope  if  I  ever  do  enter  your  employment,  I  shall 
merit  your  confidence." 

"I  have  good  hopes  of  it.  By  the  way,  you  may 
as  well  give  me  your  name." 

"I  am  Grant  Thornton,  of  Colebrook,"  said  our 
hero. 

^  Mr.  Reynolds  entered  the  name  in  a  little  pocket 
diary,  and  left  the  seat,  which  Tom  Calder  Immedi- 
ately took. 

"Who's  that  old  codger?"  he  asked. 

"The  gentleman  who  has  just  left  me  is  a  New 
York  business  man." 

"You  got  pretty  thick  with  him,  eh?" 

"We  talked  a  little." 

Grant  took  care  not  to  mention  that  Mr.  Key- 


HELPING  HIMSELF  41 

nolds  was  a  broker,  as  he  knew  that  Tom  would 
press  for  an  introduction  in  that  case. 

When  they  reached  New  York,  Tom  showed  a 
disposition  to  remain  with  Grant,  but  the  latter 
said:  "We'd  better  separate,  and  we  can  meet 
again  after  we  have  attended  to  our  business." 

A  meeting  place  was  agreed  upon,  and  Tom 
went  his  way. 

Now  came  the  difficult  part  of  Grant's  task. 
Where  should  he  go  to  dispose  of  his  pearls  ?  He 
walked  along  undecided,  till  he  came  to  a  large  jew- 
elry store.  It  struck  him  that  this  would  be  a  good 
place  for  his  purpose,  and  he  entered. 

"What  can  I  do  for  you,  young  man?"  asked  a 
man  of  thirty  behind  the  counter. 

"I  have  some  pearl  ornaments  I  would  like  to 
sell,"  said  Grant. 

"Indeed,"  said  the  clerk,  fixing  a  suspicious- 
glance  upon  Grant;  "let  me  see  jaem." 

Grant  took  out  the  necklace  and  bracelets,  and 
passed  them  over.  No  sooner  had  he  done  so  than 
a  showily  dressed  lady  advanced  to  the  place  where 
he  was  standing,  and  held  out  her  hand  for  the 
ornaments,  exclaiming :  "I  forbid  you  to  buy  those 
articles,  sir.  They  are  mine.  The  boy  stole  them 
from  me,  and  I  have  followed  him  here,  suspecting 
that  he  intended  to  dispose  of  them." 

"That  is  false,"  exclaimed  Grant,  indignantly^ 
"I  never  saw  that  woman  before  in  my  life." 


42  HELPING  HIMSELF 

"So  you  are  a  liar  as  well  as  a  thief  I"  said  the 
woman.  "You  will  please  give  me  those  pearls, 
sir." 

The  clerk  looked  at  the  two  contestants  in  inde- 
cision. He  was  disposed  to  believe  the  lady's  state- 
ment. 


HELPING  HIMSELF  43 


CHAPTER   VII 

MRSo  SIMPSON  COMES  TO  GRIEF 

"Surely  I  have  a  right  to  my  own  property," 
said  the  showily  dressed  lady  In  a  tone  of  authority, 
which  quite  Imposed  upon  the  weak-minded  sales- 
man. 

"I  dare  say  you  are  right,  ma'am,"  said  he,  hesl- 
tatingly. 

"Of  course  I  am,"  said  she. 

"If  you  give  her  those  pearls,  which  belong  to 
my  mother,  I  will  have  you  arrested,"  said  Grant, 
plucking  up  spirit. 

"Hoity-toity!"  said  the  lady,  contemptuously. 
"I  hope  you  won't  pay  any  regard  to  what  that 
young  thief  says." 

The  clerk  looked  undecided.  He  beckoned  an 
older  salesman,  and  laid  the  matter  before  him. 
The  latter  looked  searchingly  at  the  two.  Grant 
was  flushed  and  excited,  and  the  lady  had  a  brazen 
front. 

"Do  you  claim  these  pearls,  madam  ?"  he  said. 


44  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"I  do,"  she  answered,  promptly. 

"How  did  you  come  by  them?" 

"They  were  a  wedding  present  from  my  hus- 
band." 

"May  I  ask  your  name?" 

The  lady  hesitated  a  moment,  then  answered : 

"Mrs.  Simpson." 

"Where  do  you  live?" 

There  was  another  slight  hesitation.  Then  came 
the  answer: 

"No.  —  Madison  Avenue." 

Now  Madison  Avenue  is  a  fashionable  street, 
and  the  name  produced  an  impression  on  the  first 
clerk. 

"I  think  the  pearls  belong  to  the  lady,"  he  whis- 
pered. 

"I  have  some  further  questions  to  ask,"  returned 
the  elder  salesman,  in  a  low  voice. 

"Do  you  know  this  boy  whom  you  charge  with 
stealing  your  property?" 

"Yes,"  answered  the  lady,  to  Grant's  exceeding 
surprise;  "he  is  a  poor  boy  whom  I  have  employed 
to  do  errands." 

"Has  he  had  the  run  of  your  house  ?" 

"Yes,  that's  the  way  of  it.  He  must  have  man- 
aged to  find  his  way  to  the  second  floor,  and  opened 
the  bureau  drawer  where  I  kept  the  pearls." 

"What  have  you  to  say  to  this?"  asked  the  elder 
salesman. 


HELPING   HIMSELF  45 

"Please  ask  the  lady  my  name,"  suggested 
Grant. 

"Don't  you  know  your  own  name?"  demanded 
the  lady,  sharply. 

"Yes,  but  I  don't  think  you  do." 

"Can  you  answer  the  boy's  question,  Mrs.  Simp- 
son?" 

"Of  course  I  can.  His  name  is  John  Cavanaugh, 
and  the  very  suit  he  has  on  I  gave  him." 

Grant  was  thunderstruck  at  the  lady's  brazen 
front.  She  was  outwardly  a  fine  lady,  but  he  began 
to  suspect  that  she  was  an  impostor. 

"I  am  getting  tired  of  this,"  said  the  so-called 
Mrs.  Simpson,  impatiently.  "Will  you,  or  will  you 
not,  restore  my  pearls?" 

"When  we  are  satisfied  that  they  belong  to  you, 
madam,"  said  the  elder  salesman,  coolly.  "I  don't 
feel  like  taking  the  responsibility,  but  will  send  for 
my  employer,  and  leave  the  matter  to  him  to  de- 
cide." 

"I  hope  I  won't  have  long  to  wait,  sir." 

"I  will  send  at  once." 

"It's  a  pretty  state  of  things  when  a  lady  has  her 
own  property  kept  from  her,"  said  Mrs.  Simpson, 
while  the  elder  clerk  was  at  the  other  end  of  the 
store,  giving  some  instructions  to  a  boy. 

"I  don't  in  the  least  doubt  your  claim  to  the  arti- 
cles, Mrs.  Simpson,"  said  the  first  salesman,  obse- 
quiously.    "Come,  boy,  you'd  better  own  up  that 


46  HELPING   HIMSELF 

you  have  stolen  the  articles,  and  the  lady  will  prob- 
ably let  you  off  this  time." 

"Yes,  I  will  let  him  off  this  time,"  chimed  in  the 
lady.    "I  don't  want  to  send  him  to  prison." 

"If  you  can  prove  that  I  am  a  thief,  I  am  willing 
to  go,"  said  Grant,  hotly. 

By  this  time  the  elder  salesman  had  come  back. 

"Is  your  name  John  Cavanaugh,  my  boy?"  he 
asked. 

"No,  sir." 

"Did  you  ever  see  this  lady  before?" 

"No,  sir." 

The  lady  threw  up  her  hands  in  feigned  amaze- 
ment. 

"I  wouldn't  have  believed  the  boy  would  lie  so !" 
she  said. 

"What  is  your  name?" 

"My  name  is  Grant  Thornton.  I  live  In  Cole- 
brook,  and  my  father  is  Rev.  John  Thornton." 

"I  know  there  is  such  a  minister  there.  To  whom 
do  these  pearls  belong?" 

"To  my  mother." 

"A  likely  story  that  a  country  minister's  wife 
should  own  such  valuable  pearls,"  said  Mrs.  Simp- 
son, in  a  tone  of  sarcasm. 

"How  do  you  account  for  it?"  asked  the  clerk. 

"They  were  given  my  mother  years  since,  by  a 
rich  lady  who  was  a  good  friend  of  hers.  She  has 
jiever  had  occasion  to  wear  them." 


HELPING   HIMSELF  47 

Mrs.  Simpson  smiled  significantly. 

"The  boy  has  learned  his  story,"  she  said.  "I 
did  not  give  you  credit  for  such  an  Imagination, 
John  Cavanaugh." 

"My  name  Is  Grant  Thornton,  madam,"  said 
our  hero,  gravely. 

Five  minutes  later  two  men  entered  the  store. 
One  was  a  policeman,  the  other  the  head  of  the 
firm.  When  Grant's  eye  fell  on  the  policeman  he 
felt  nervous,  but  when  he  glanced  at  the  gentleman 
his  face  lighted  up  with  pleasure. 

"Why,  It's  Mr.  Clifton,"  he  said. 

"Grant  Thornton,"  said  the  jeweler,  in  surprise. 
*'Why,  I  thought " 

"You  will  do  me  justice,  Mr.  Clifton,"  said 
Grant,  and  thereupon  he  related  the  circumstances 
already  known  to  the  reader. 

When  Mrs.  Simpson  found  that  the  boy  whom 
she  had  selected  as  an  easy  victim  was  known  to  the 
proprietor  of  the  place,  she  became  nervous,  and 
only  thought  of  escape. 

"It  Is  possible  that  I  am  mistaken,"  she  said. 
"Let  me  look  at  the  pearls  again." 

They  were  held  up  for  her  Inspection, 

"They  are  very  like  mine,"  she  said,  after  a  brief 
glance;  "but  I  see  there  Is  a  slight  difference." 

"How  about  the  boy,  madam?"  asked  the  elder 
clerk. 

"He  is  the  very  Image  of  my  errand  boy;  but  if 


48  HELPING   HIMSELF 

Mr.  Clifton  knows  him,  I  must  be  mistaken.  I  am 
sorry  to  have  given  you  so  much  trouble.  I  have 
an  engagement  to  meet,  and  must  go." 

"Stop,  madam!"  said  Mr.  Clifton,  sternly,  in- 
terposing an  obstacle  to  her  departure,  "we  can't 
spare  you  yet." 

"I  really  must  go,  sir.  I  give  up  all  claim  to  the 
pearls." 

"That  is  not  sufficient.  You  have  laid  claim  to 
them,  knowing  that  they  were  not  yours.  Officer, 
have  you  ever  seen  this  woman  before?" 

"Yes,  sir,  I  know  her  well." 

"Hov/  dare  you  insult  me?"  demanded  Mrs, 
Simpson ;  but  there  was  a  tremor  in  her  voice. 

"I  give  her  in  charge  for  an  attempted  swindle,'*' 
said  Mr.  Clifton. 

"You  will  have  to  come  with  me,  madam,"  said 
the  policeman.    "You  may  as  well  go  quietly." 

"Well,  the  game  is  up,"  said  the  woman,  with  a 
careless  laugh. 

"It  came  near  succeeding,  though." 

"Now,  my  boy,"  said  the  jeweler,  "I  will  attend 
to  your  business.    You  want  to  sell  these  pearls?'^ 

"Yes,  sir;  they  are  of  no  use  to  mother,  and  she 
needs  the  money." 

"At  what  do  you  value  them?" 

"I  leave  that  to  you,  sir.  I  shall  be  satisfied  with 
what  you  think  them  worth." 

The  jeweler  examined  them  attentively.    After 


HELPING   HIMSELF  49 

his  examination  was  concluded,  he  said:  "I  am 
willing  to  give  four  hundred  dollars  for  them.  Of 
course  they  cost  more,  but  I  shall  have  to  reset 
them." 

"That  Is  more  than  I  expected,"  said  Grant,  joy- 
fully. "It  will  pay  all  our  debts,  and  give  us  a 
little  fund  to  help  us  In  future." 

"Do  you  wish  the  money  now  ?  There  might  be 
some  risk  In  a  boy  like  you  carrying  so  much  with 
you." 

"What  would  you  advise,  Mr.  Clifton?" 

"That  you  take  perhaps  a  hundred  dollars,  and 
let  me  bring  the  balance  next  Saturday  night,  when 
I  come  to  pass  Sunday  at  Colebrook." 

"Thank  you,  sir;  If  It  won't  be  too  much  trouble 
for  you." 


so  HELPING   HIMSELF 


CHAPTER   VIII 

GRANT  TAKES  A  DECISIVE  STEP 

Grant  came  home  a  messenger  of  good  tidings, 
as  his  beaming  face  plainly  showed.  His  mother 
could  hardly  believe  in  her  good  fortune,  when 
Grant  informed  her  that  he  had  sold  the  pearls  for 
four  hundred  dollars, 

"Why,  that  will  pay  up  all  your  father's  debts," 
she  said,  "and  we  shall  once  more  feel  indepen- 
dent." 

"And  with  a  good  reserve  fund  besides,"  sug- 
gested Grant. 

On  Saturday  evening  he  called  on  Mr.  Clifton, 
and  received  the  balance  of  the  purchase  money. 
On  Monday,  with  a  little  list  of  creditors,  and  his 
pocket  full  of  money,  he  made  a  round  of  calls,  and 
paid  up  everybody,  including  Mr.  Tudor. 

"I  told  you  the  bill  would  be  paid,  Mr.  Tudor," 
he  said,  quietly,  to  the  grocer. 

"You  mustn't  feel  hard  on  me  on  account  of  my 
pressing  you.  Grant,"  said  the  grocer,  well  pleased, 


HELPING   HIMSELF  51 

in  a  conciliatory  tone.     "You  see,  I  needed  money 
to  pay  my  bills." 

"You  seemed  to  think  my  father  didn't  mean  to 
pay  you,"  said  Grant,  who  could  not  so  easily  get 
over  what  he  had  considered  unfriendly  conduct  on 
the  part  of  Mr.  Tudor. 

"No,  I  didn't.  Of  course  I  knew  he  was  honest, 
but  all  the  same  I  needed  the  money.  I  wish  all 
my  customers  was  as  honest  as  your  folks." 

With  this  Grant  thought  it  best  to  be  contented. 
The  time  might  come  again  when  they  would  re- 
quire the  forbearance  of  the  grocer;  but  he  did  not 
mean  that  It  should  be  so  if  he  could  help  it.  For 
he  was  more  than  ever  resolved  to  give  up  the  pro- 
ject of  going  to  college.  The  one  hundred  and  fifty 
dollars  which  remained  after  paying  the  debts 
would  tide  them  over  a  year,  but  his  college  course 
would  occupy  four ;  and  then  there  would  be  three 
years  more  of  study  to  fit  him  for  entering  a  profes- 
sion, and  so  there  would  be  plenty  of  time  for  the 
old  difficulties  to  return.  If  the  parish  would  In- 
crease his  father's  salary  by  even  a  hundred  dollars, 
they  might  get  along;  but  there  was  such  a  self- 
complacent  feeling  in  the  village  that  Mr.  Thorn- 
ton was  liberally  paid,  that  he  well  knew  there  was 
no  chance  of  that. 

Upon  this  subject  he  had  more  than  one  earnest 
conversation  with  his  mother. 

"I  should  be  sorry  to  have  you  leave  home,"  she 


52  HELPING   HIMSELF 

said;  "but  I  acknowledge  the  force  of  your  rea- 


sons. 

u 


I  shouldn't  be  happy  at  college,  mother,"  re- 
sponded Grant,  "if  I  thought  you  were  pinched  at 
home." 

"If  you  were  our  only  child,  Grant,  it  would  be 
different." 

"That  is  true;  but  there  are  Frank  and  Mary 
who  would  suffer.  If  I  go  to  work  I  shall  soon  be 
able  to  help  you  take  care  of  them." 

^  "You  are  a  good  and  unselfish  boy.  Grant,"  said 
his  mother. 

"I  don't  know  about  that,  mother;  I  am  consult- 
ing my  own  happiness  as  well  as  yours." 

"Yet  you  would  like  to  go  to  college?" 

"If  we  had  plenty  of  money,  not  otherwise.  I 
don't  want  to  enjoy  advantages  at  the  expense  of 
you  all." 

"Your  Uncle  Godfrey  will  be  very  angry,"  said 
Mrs.  Thornton,  thoughtfully. 

"I  suppose  he  will,  and  I  shall  be  sorry  for  it.  I 
am  grateful  to  him  for  his  good  intentions  toward 
me,  and  I  have  no  right  to  expect  that  he  will  feel 
as  I  do  about  the  matter.  If  he  is  angry,  I  shall  be 
sorry,  but  I  don't  think  it  ought  to  influence  me." 

"You  must  do  as  you  decide  to  be  best.  Grant. 
It  is  you  who  are  most  interested.  But  suppose  you 
make  up  your  mind  to  enter  upon  a  business  career, 
what  chance  have  you  of  obtaining  a  place?" 


HELPING   HIMSELF  S3 

"I  shall  call  upon  Mr.  Reynolds,  and  see  if  he 
has  any  place  for  me." 

"Who  is  Mr.  Reynolds?"  asked  his  mother,  in 
some  surprise. 

"I  forgot  that  I  didn't  tell  you  of  the  gentleman 
whose  acquaintance  I  made  on  my  way  up  to  the 
city.  He  is  a  Wall  Street  broker.  His  attention 
was  dr^wn  to  me  by  something  that  he  heard,  and 
he  offered  to  help  me,  if  he  could,  to  get  employ- 
ment." 

"It  would  cost  something  to  go  to  New  York, 
and  after  all  there  is  no  certainty  that  he  could  help 
you,"  said  Mrs.  Thornton,  cautiously. 

"That  is  true,  mother,  but  I  think  he  would  do 
something  for  me." 

However,  Grant  received  a  summons  to  New 
York  on  other  business.  Mrs.  Simpson,  as  she 
called  herself,  though  she  had  no  right  to  the  name, 
was  brought  up  for  trial,  and  Grant  was  needed  as 
a  witness.  Of  course  his  expenses  were  to  be  paid. 
He  resolved  to  take  this  opportunity  to  call  at  the 
office  of  Mr.  Reynolds. 

I  do  not  propose  to  speak  of  Mrs.  Simpson's 
trial.  I  will  merely  say  that  she  was  found  guilty 
of  the  charge  upon  which  she  had  been  indicted, 
and  was  sentenced  to  a  term  of  imprisonment. 

When  Grant  was  released  from  his  duties  as  wit- 
ness, he  made  his  way  to  Wall  Street,  or  rather 
New  Street,  which  branches  out  from  the  great 


54  HELPING   HIMSELF 

financial  thoroughfare,  and  had  no  difficulty  in  find- 
ing the  office  of  Mr.  Reynolds. 

"Can  I  see  Mr.  Reynolds?"  he  asked  of  a  young 
man,  who  was  writing  at  a  desk. 

"Have  you  come  to  deliver  stock?  If  so,  I  will 
take  charge  of  it." 

"No,"  answered  Grant;  "I  wish  to  see  him  per- 
sonally." 

"He  is  at  the  Stock  Exchange  just  at  present.  If 
you  will  take  a  seat,  he  will  be  back  in  twenty  min- 
utes, probably." 

Grant  sat  down,  and  in  less  than  the  time  men- 
tioned, Mr.  Reynolds  entered  the  office.  The 
broker,  who  had  a  good  memory  for  faces,  at  once 
recognized  our  hero. 

"Ha,  my  young  friend  from  the  country,"  he 
said;  "would  you  like  to  see  me?" 

"When  you  are  at  leisure,  sir,"  answered  Grant, 
well  pleased  at  the  prompt  recognition. 

"You  will  not  have  to  wait  long.  Amuse  your- 
self as  well  as  you  can  for  a  few  minutes." 

Promptness  was  the  rule  in  Mr.  Reynolds'  office. 
Another  characteristic  of  the  broker  was,  that  he 
was  just  as  polite  to  a  boy  as  to  his  best  customer. 
This  is,  I  am  quite  aware,  an  unusual  trait,  and, 
therefore,  the  more  to  be  appreciated  when  we 
meet  with  it. 

Presently  Mr.  Reynolds  appeared  at  the  door  of 
his  inner  office,  and  beckoned  to  Grant  to  enter. 


HELPING   HIMSELF  SS 

"Take  a  seat,  my  young  friend,"  he  said;  "and 
now  let  me  know  what  I  can  do  for  you." 

"When  I  met  you  in  the  cars,"  said  Grant,  "you 
invited  me,  if  I  ever  wanted»a  position,  to  call  upon 
you,  and  you  would  see  if  you  could  help  me." 

"Very  true,  I  did.  Have  you  made  up  your  mind 
to  seek  a  place?" 

"Yes,  sir." 

"Are  your  parents  willing  you  should  come  to 
New  York?" 

"Yes,  sir.  That  is,  my  mother  is  willing,  and 
mv  father  will  agree  to  whatever  she  decides  to  be 
best." 

"So  far  so  good.  I  wouldn't  engage  any  boy 
who  came  against  his  parents'  wishes.  Now  let  me 
tell  you  that  you  have  come  at  a  very  favorable 
time.  I  have  had  in  my  employ  for  two  years  the 
son  of  an  old  friend,  who  has  suited  me  in  every 
respect ;  but  now  he  is  to  go  abroad  with  his  father 
for  a  year,  and  I  must  supply  his  place.  You  shall 
have  the  place  if  you  want  it." 

"Nothing  would  suit  me  better,"  said  Grant,  joy- 
fully.  "Do  you  think  I  would  be  competent  to  ful- 
fill the  duties?" 

"Harry  Becker  does  not  leave  me  for  two  vv^eeks. 
He  will  initiate  you  into  your  duties,  and  if  you  are 
as  quick  as  I  think  you  are  at  learning,  that  will  be 
sufficient." 

"When  shall  I  come,  sir?" 


S6  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"Next  Monday  morning.  It  Is  now  Thursday, 
and  that  will  give  you  time  to  remove  to  the  city." 

"Perhaps  I  had  better  come  Saturday,  so  as  to 
get  settled  in  a  boarding-house  before  going  to 
work.  Could  you  recommend  some  moderate 
priced  boarding-house,  Mr.  Reynolds?" 

"For  the  first  week  you  may  come  to  my  house  as 
my  guest.  That  will  give  you  a  chance  to  look 
about  you.  I  live  at  5  8  West  3-th  Street.  You  had 
better  take  it  down  on  paper.  You  can  come  any 
time  on  Monday.  That  will  give  you  a  chance  to 
spend  Sunday  at  home,  and  you  need  not  go  to 
work  till  Tuesday." 

Grant  expressed  his  gratitude  in  suitable  terms, 
and  left  the  office  elated  at  his  good  fortune.  A 
surprise  awaited  him.  At  the  junction  of  Wall  and 
New  Streets  he  came  suddenly  upon  a  large-sized 
bootblack,  whose  face  looked  familiar. 

"Tom  Calderl"  he  exclaimed.     "Is  that  you?" 


HELPING  HIMSELF  57 


CHAPTER  IX 

UNCLE  GODFREY  PARTS  FROM  GRANT 

When  Tom  Calder  turned  round  and  saw  who 
had  addressed  him,  he  turned  red  with  mortifica- 
tion, and  he  tried  to  hide  his  blacking  box.  He  was 
terribly  mortified  to  have  it  known  that  he  had  been 
forced  into  such  a  business.  If  Tom  had  nothing 
worse  to  be  ashamed  of  he  need  not  have  blushed, 
but  he  was  suffering  from  false  shame. 

"When  did  you  come  to  the  city?"  he  stam- 
mered. 

"Only  this  morning." 

"I  suppose  you  are  surprised  to  see  me  in  this 
business,"  said  Tom,  awkwardly. 

"There  is  nothing  to  be  ashamed  of,"  said 
Grant.     "It  is  an  honest  business." 

"It's  an  awful  come  down  for  me,"  said  Tom, 
uncomfortably.    "The  fact  is,  I've  had  hard  luck." 

"I  am  sorry  to  hear  that,"  said  Grant. 

"I  expected  a  place  in  Wall  Street,  but  I  came 
just  too  late,  and  things  are  awful  dull  anyway. 
Then  I  was  robbed  of  my  money." 


58  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"How  much?"  asked  Grant,  curiously,  for  he 
didn't  beHeve  a  word  of  it. 

"Eight  dollars  and  thirty-three  cents,"  replied 
Tom,  glibly. 

"I  thought  you  were  too  smart  to  be  robbed," 
said  Grant,  slyly.  "If  it  had  been  a  green  boy 
from  the  country  like  me,  now,  it  wouldn't  have 
been  surprising." 

"I  was  asleep  when  I  was  robbed,"  explained 
Tom,  hurriedly.  "A  fellow  got  into  my  room  in 
the  night,  and  picked  my  pocket.  I  couldn't  help 
that,  now,  could  I  ?" 

"I  suppose  not," 

"So  I  had  to  get  something  to  do,  or  go  back  to 
Colebrook.     I  say.  Grant " 

"Well?" 

"Don't  you  tell  any  of  the  fellers  at  home  what 
business  I'm  in,  that's  a  good  fellow." 

"I  won't  if  you  don't  want  me  to,"  said  Grant. 

"You  see,  it's  only  a  few  days  till  I  can  get  some- 
thing else  to  do." 

"It's  a  great  deal  better  blacking  boots  than  be- 
ing idle,  in  my  opinion,"  said  Grant. 

"That's  the  way  I  look  at  it.  But  you  didn't  tell 
me  what  you  came  to  the  city  for  ?" 

"I'm  coming  here  for  good,"  announced 
Grant. 

"You  haven't  got  a  place,  have  you?"  ejaculated 
Tom,  In  surprise. 


HELPING   HIMSELF  59 

"Yes,  I  am  to  enter  the  office  of  Mr,  Reynolds, 
a  stock  broker.    There  is  his  sign." 

"You  don't  say  so !  Why,  that's  just  the  sort  of 
place  I  wanted.    How  did  you  get  the  chance?" 

"I  got  acquainted  with  Mr.  Reynolds  on  board 
the  cars  that  day  we  came  to  New  York  together." 

"And  you  asked  him  for  the  place?" 

"I  asked  him  this  morning." 

"You  might  have  given  me  the  chance,"  grum- 
bled Tom,  enviously.  "You  knew  it  was  the  sort 
of  place  I  was  after." 

"I  don't  think  I  was  called  upon  to  do  that," 
said  Grant,  smiling.  "Besides,  he  wouldn't  have 
accepted  you." 

"Why  not?  Ain't  I  as  smart  as  you,  I'd  like  to 
know?"  retorted  Tom  Calder,  angrily. 

"He  heard  us  talking  in  the  cars,  and  didn't  like 
what  you  said." 

"What  did  I  say?" 

"He  doesn't  approve  of  boys  smoking  cigarettes 
and  going  to  bucket  shops.    You  spoke  of  both." 

"How  did  he  hear?" 

"He  was  sitting  just  behind  us." 

"Was  It  that  old  chap  that  was  sittin'  with  you 
when  I  came  back  from  the  smoking  car?" 

"Yes." 

"Just  my  luck,"  said  Tom,  ruefully. 

"When  are  you  goln'  to  work?"  asked  Tom, 
after  a  pause. 


6o  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"Next  Monday." 

"Where  are  you  going  to  board?  We  might 
take  a  room  together,  you  know.  It  would  be  kind 
of  social,  as  we  both  come  from  the  same  place." 

It  did  not  occur  to  Grant  that  the  arrangement 
would  suit  him  at  all,  but  he  did  not  think  it  neces- 
sary to  say  so.  He  only  said :  "I  am  going  to  Mr. 
Reynolds'  house,  just  at  first." 

"You  don't  say  so!  Why,  he's  taken  a  regular 
fancy  to  you." 

"If  he  has,  I  hope  he  won't  get  over  it." 

"I  suppose  he  lives  in  a  handsome  brownstone 
house  uptown." 

"Very  likely;  I've  never  seen  the  house.", 

"Well,  some  folks  has  luck,  but  I  ain't  one  of 
'em,"  grumbled  Tom. 

"Your  luck  is  coming,  I  hope,  Tom." 

"I  wish  it  would  come  pretty  soon,  then;  I  say, 
suppose  your  folks  won't  let  you  take  the  place?" 
he  asked,  suddenly,  brightening  up. 

"They  won't  oppose  it." 

"I  thought  they  wanted  you  to  go  to  college." 

"I  can't  afford  it.  It  would  take  too  long  before 
I  could  earn  anything,  and  I  ought  to  be  helping 
the  family." 

"I'm  goin'  to  look  out  for  number  one,"  said 
Tom,  shrugging  his  shoulders.  "That's  all  I  can 
do." 

Tom's  mother  was  a  hard-working  woman,  and 


HELPING  HIMSELF  6i 

had  taken  in  washing  for  years.  But  for  her  the 
family  would  often  have  lacked  for  food.  His 
father  was  a  lazy,  intemperate  man,  who  had  no 
pride  of  manhood,  and  cared  only  for  himself.  In 
this  respect  Tom  was  like  him,  though  the  son  had 
not  as  yet  become  Intemperate. 

"I  don't  think  there  Is  any  chance  of  my  giving 
up  the  place,"  answered  Grant.  "If  I  do,  I  will 
mention  your  name." 

"That's  a  good  fellow." 

Grant  did  not  volunteer  to  recommend  Tom,  for 
he  could  not  have  done  so  with  a  clear  conscience. 
This  omission,  however,  Tom  did  not  notice. 

"Well,  Tom,  I  must  be  going.  Good-by,  and 
good  luck." 

Grant  went  home  with  a  cheerful  face,  and  an- 
nounced his  good  luck  to  his  mother. 

"I  am  glad  you  are  going  to  your  employer's 
house,"  she  said.  "I  wish  you  could  remain  there 
permanently." 

"So  do  I,  mother;  but  I  hope  at  any  rate  to  get  a 
comfortable  boarding  place.  Tom  Calder  wants  to 
room  with  me." 

"I  hope  you  won't  think  of  it,"  said  Mrs.  Thorn- 
ton, alarmed. 

"Not  for  a  moment.  I  wish  Tom  well,  but  I 
shouldn't  like  to  be  too  intimate  with  him.  And 
now,  mother,  I  think  I  ought  to  write  to  L^ncle 
Godfrey,  and  tell  him  what  I  have  decided  upon." 


62  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"That  will  be  proper,  Grant." 
Grant  wrote  the  following  letter,  and  mailed  It 
at  once: 

"Dear  Uncle  Godfrey:  I  am  afraid  you 
won't  like  w^hat  I  have  to  tell  you,  but  I  think  It  Is 
my  duty  to  the  family  to  give  up  the  college  course 
you  so  kindly  offered  me,  In  view  of  father's  small 
salary  and  narrow  means.  I  have  been  offered  a 
place  In  the  office  of  a  stock  broker  In  New  York, 
and  have  accepted  It.  I  enter  upon  my  duties  next 
Monday  morning.  I  hope  to  come  near  paying  my 
own  way,  and  before  very  long  to  help  father.  I 
know  you  will  be  disappointed.  Uncle  Godfrey,  and 
I  hope  you  won't  think  I  don't  appreciate  your  kind 
offer,  but  I  think  It  would  be  selfish  In  me  to  accept 
It.  Please  to  forgive  me,  and  believe  me  to  be 
"Your  affectionate  nephew, 

"Grant  Thornton." 

In  twenty-four  hours  an  answer  came  to  this 
letter.    It  ran  thus : 

"Nephew  Grant:  I  would  not  have  believed 
you  would  act  so  foolishly  and  ungratefully.  It  is 
not  often  that  such  an  offer  as  mine  is  made  to  a 
boy.  I  did  think  you  were  sensible  enough  to  un- 
derstand the  advantages  of  a  professional  educa- 
tion.   I  hoped  you  would  do  credit  to  the  name  of 


HELPING   HIMSELF  63 

Thornton,  and  keep  up  the  family  reputation  as  a 
man  of  learning  and  a  gentleman.  But  you  have  a 
foolish  fancy  for  going  into  a  broker's  office,  and  I 
suppose  you  must  be  gratified.  But  you  needn't 
think  I  will  renew  my  offer.  I  wash  my  hands  of 
you  from  this  time  forth,  and  leave  you  to  your 
own  foolish  course.  The  tim.e  will  come  when  you 
will  see  your  folly. 

"Godfrey  Thornton." 

Grant  sighed  as  he  finished  reading  this  missive. 
He  felt  that  his  uncle  had  done  him  injustice.  It 
was  no  foolish  fancy,  but  a  conscientious  sense  of 
duty,  which  had  led  him  to  sacrifice  his  educational 
prospects. 

On  Monday  morning  he  took  the  earliest  train 
for  New  York. 


64  HELPING  HIMSELF 


CHAPTER  X 

A  DAY  IN  WALL  STREET 

Grant  went  at  once  on  his  arrival  in  the  city  to 
Mr.  Reynolds'  office.  He  had  In  his  hand  a  well- 
worn  valise  containing  his  small  stock  of  clothing. 
The  broker  was  just  leaving  the  office  for  the  Stock 
Exchange  as  Grant  entered. 

"So  you  are  punctual,"  he  said,  smiling. 

"Yes,  sir,  I  am  always  on  time." 

"That  is  an  excellent  habit.    Here,  Harry." 

In  answer  to  this  summons,  Harry  Becker,  a  boy 
two  years  older  and  correspondingly  larger  than 
Grant,  came  forward.  He  was  a  pleasant-looking 
boy,  and  surveyed  Grant  with  a  friendly  glance. 

"Harry,"  said  Mr.  Reynolds,  "this  Is  your  suc- 
cessor. Do  me  the  favor  of  initiating  him  into  his 
duties,  so  that  when  you  leave  me  he  will  be  quali- 
fied to  take  your  place." 

"All  right,  sir." 

The  broker  hurried  over  to  the  Exchange,  and 
the  two  boys  were  left  together. 

"What  is  your  name?"  asked  the  city  boy. 


HELPING  HIMSELF  6s\ 

"Grant  Thornton." 

"Mine  Is  Harry  Becker.  Are  you  accustomed  to 
the  city?" 

"No,  I  am  afraid  you  will  find  me  very  green," 
answered  Grant. 

"You  are  not  the  boy  to  remain  so  long,"  said 
Harry,  scrutinizing  him  attentively. 

"I  hope  not.  You  are  going  to  Europe,  Mr. 
Reynolds  tells  me." 

"Yes,  the  governor  Is  going  to  take  me." 

"The  governor?" 

"My  father,  I  mean,"  said  Harry,  smiling. 

"I  suppose  you  are  not  sorry  to  go?" 

"Oh,  no;  I  expect  to  have  a  tip-top  time.  How 
would  you  like  It?" 

"Very  much,  if  I  could  afford  it,  but  at  present  I 
would  rather  fill  your  place  in  the  office.  I  am  the 
son  of  a  poor  country  minister,  and  must  earn  my 
own  living." 

"How  did  you  get  in  with  Mr.  Reynolds?" 
asked  Harry. 

Grant  told  him.  "Is  he  easy  to  get  along  with?" 
he  Inquired,  a  little  anxiously. 

"He  is  very  kind  and  considerate.  Still  he  is 
stanch,  and  expects  a  boy  to  serve  him  faithfully." 

"He  has  a  right  to  expect  that." 

"As  I  am  to  break  you  In,  you  had  better  go 
about  with  me  everywhere.  First,  we  will  go  to  the 
post-oflice." 


66  HELPING   HIMSELF 

The  two  boys  walked  to  Nassau  Street,  where 
the  New  York  post-office  was  then  located.  Harry 
pointed  out  the  box  belonging  to  the  firm,  and  pro- 
ducing a  key  opened  it,  and  took  out  half  a  dozen 
letters. 

"There  may  be  some  stock  orders  in  these  let- 
ters," he  said;  "we  will  go  back  to  the  office,  give 
them  to  Mr.  Clark  to  open,  and  then  you  can  go 
with  me  to  the  Stock  Exchange." 

Ten  minutes  later  they  entered  the  large  room 
used  by  the  brokers  as  an  Exchange.  Grant  looked 
about  him  in  undisguised  astonishment.  It  seemed 
like  a  pandemonium.  The  room  was  full  of  men, 
shouting,  gesticulating  and  acting  like  crazy  men. 
The  floor  was  littered  with  fragments  of  paper, 
and  on  a  raised  dais  were  the  officers  of  the  Ex- 
change, the  chief  among  them,  the  chairman,  call- 
ing rapidly  the  names  of  a  long  list  of  stocks.  Each 
name  was  followed  by  a  confused  shouting,  which 
Grant  learned  afterward  to  be  bids  for  the  stock 
named.  There  were  several  groups  of  brokers, 
each  apparently  interested  in  some  leading  security. 
In  each  of  the  galleries,  one  at  each  end,  overlook- 
ing the  stock  room,  curious  spectators  were  watch- 
ing what  was  going  on. 

Harry  Becker  was  amused  at  Grant's  look  of 
surprise  and  bewilderment. 

"You'll  get  used  to  it  In  time,"  he  said.  "Stay — 
there  is  Mr.  Reynolds.    I  must  speak  to  him." 


HELPING   HIMSELF  67 

Mr.  Reynolds  stood  near  a  placard  on  which,  In 
prominent  letters,  was  inscribed  "Erie."  Harry- 
handed  him  a  paper,  which  he  took,  glanced  at 
quickly,  and  then  resumed  his  bidding. 

"He  has  just  bought  one  thousand  Erie,"  said 
Harry,  aside,  to  Grant. 

"One  thousand?" 

"Yes,  a  thousand  shares,  at  fifty-five." 

"Fifty-five  dollars?" 

"Yes." 

"Why,  that  will  make  fifty-five  thousand  dol- 
lars," ejaculated  Grant,  in  wonder. 

"Yes,  that  is  one  of  the  orders  I  brought  over 
just  now." 

"A  man  must  have  a  great  deal  of  capital  to 
carry  on  this  business,  if  that  is  only  an  item  of  a 
single  day's  business." 

"Yes,  but  not  so  much  as  you  may  imagine.  I 
can't  explain  now,  but  you'll  understand  better  as 
you  go  on.  Now  we'll  go  back  and  see  if  there's 
anything  to  do  in  the  ofiice." 

Not  long  afterward  Harry  had  to  come  back  to 
the  Exchange  again,  and  Grant  came  with  him. 
He  found  something  new  to  surprise  him. 

-A  tall  man  of  dignified  presence  was  walking 
across  the  floor,  when  a  fellow  member  with  a  sly 
stroke  sent  his  tall  hat  spinning  across  the  floor. 
When  the  victim  turned  the  mischief-maker  was 
Intent  upon  his  memorandum  book,  and  the  tall 


68  HELPING   HIMSELF 

man's  suspicions  fell  upon  a  short,  stout  young  man 
beside  him.  With  a  vigorous  sweep  he  knocked  the 
young  man's  hat  off,  saying,  "It's  a  poor  rule  that 
don't  work  both  ways." 

This  led  to  a  little  scrimmage,  in  which  a  dozen 
were  involved.  The  brokers,  staid,  middle-aged 
men,  most  of  them,  seemed  like  a  pack  of  school 
boys  at  recess.  Grant  surveyed  the  scene  with  un- 
disguised astonishment. 

"What  does  it  mean,  Harry?"  he  asked. 

"Oh,  that's  a  very  common  occurrence,"  said 
Harry,  smiling. 

"I  never  saw  grown  men  acting  so.  Won't  there 
be  a  fight?" 

"Oh,  it's  all  fun.  The  brokers  are  unlike  any 
other  class  of  men  in  business  hours,"  explained 
Harry.    "It's  one  of  the  customs  of  the  place." 

Just  then,  to  his  astonishment.  Grant  saw  his  em- 
ployer, Mr.  Reynolds,  pursuing  his  hat,  which  was 
rolling  over  the  floor.  He  was  about  to  run  to  his 
assistance,  but  Harry  stopped  him. 

"No  interference  is  allowed,"  he  said.  "Leave 
them  to  their  fun.  I  used  to  think  it  strange  my- 
self, when  I  first  came  into  the  Exchange,  but  I'm 
used  to  it  now.  Now  we  may  as  well  go  back  to  the 
office." 

There  is  no  occasion  to  follow  the  boys  through 
the  day's  routine.  Grant  found  his  companion  very 


HELPING   HIMSELF  6^ 

obliging,  and  very  ready  to  give  him  the  informa- 
tion he  needed.  Many  boys  would  have  been  super- 
cilious and  perhaps  been  disposed  to  play  tricks  on 
a  country  boy,  but  Harry  was  not  one  of  them.  He 
took  a  friendly  interest  in  Grant,  answered  all  his 
questions,  and  did  his  best  to  qualify  him  for  the 
position  he  was  to  assume. 

Before  the  office  closed.  Grant  and  his  new 
friend  went  to  the  bank  to  make  a  deposit  of  money 
and  checks.  The  deposit  amounted  to  about  twenty 
thousand  dollars. 

"There  must  be  plenty  of  money  in  New  York," 
said  Grant.  "Why,  up  in  Colebrook,  if  a  man 
were  worth  twenty  thousand  dollars  he  would  be 
considered  a  rich  man." 

"It  takes  a  good  deal  more  than  that  to  make  a 
man  rich  in  New  York.  In  the  stock  business  a 
man  is  likely  to  do  a  larger  business  in  proportion 
to  his  capital  than  in  the  mercantile  business." 

On  their  way  back  from  the  bank.  Grant  came 
face  to  face  v/ith  Tom  Calder.  Tom  was  busily 
engaged  in  talking  to  a  companion,  some  years 
older  than  himself,  and  didn't  observe  Grant. 
Grant  was  by  no  means  prepossessed  in  favor  of 
this  young  man,  whose  red  and  mottled  face,  and 
bold  glance  made  him  look  far  from  respectable. 

"Do  you  know  those  fellows?"  asked  Harry 
Becker. 

"The  youngest  one  is  from  Colebrook." 


70  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"He  Is  in  bad  company.  I  hope  he  Is  not  an  inti- 
mate friend  of  yours?" 

"Far  from  it.  Still,  I  know  him,  and  am  sorry 
to  see  him  with  such  a  companion." 

At  four  o'clock  Mr.  Reynolds  proposed  to  go 
home.    He  beckoned  to  Grant  to  accompany  him. 


HELPING  HIMSELE  3,i 


CHAPTER  XI 

GRANT  MAKES  A  FRIEND 

**WhAT  do  you  think  of  your  first  day  in  Wall 
Street?"  asked  Mr.  Reynolds,  kindly. 

"I  have  found  it  very  interesting,"  answered 
Grant. 

"Do  you  think  you  shall  like  the  business?" 

"Yes,  sir,  I  think  so." 

"Better  than  if  you  had  been  able  to  carry  out 
your  original  plan,  and  go  to  college?" 

"Yes,  sir,  under  the  circumstances,  for  I  have  a 
better  prospect  of  helping  the  family." 

"That  feeling  does  you  credit.  Have  you  any 
brothers  and  sisters?" 

"One  of  each,  sir." 

"I  have  but  one  boy,  now  nine  years  old.  I  am 
sorry  to  say  he  is  not  strong  in  body,  though  very 
bright  and  quick,  mentally.  I  wish  he  were  more 
fond  of  play  and  would  spend  less  time  in  reading 
and  study." 

"I  don't  think  that  is  a  common  complaint 
among  boys,  sir." 


72  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"No,  I  judge  not  from  my  own  remembrance 
and  observation.  My  wife  is  dead,  and  I  am  such  a 
busy  man  that  I  am  not  able  to  give  my  boy  as 
much  attention  as  I  wish  I  could.  My  boy's  health 
is  the  more  important  to  me  because  I  have  no  other 
child," 

Grant's  interest  was  excited,  and  he  looked  for- 
ward to  meeting  his  employer's  son,  not  without 
eagerness.    He  had  not  long  to  wait. 

The  little  fellow  was  in  the  street  in  front  of  the 
house  when  his  father  reached  home.  He  was  a 
slender,  old-fashioned  boy  in  appearance,  who 
looked  as  if  he  had  been  in  the  habit  of  keeping 
company  with  grown  people.  His  frame  was  small, 
but  his  head  was  large.  He  was  pale,  and  would 
have  been  plain,  but  for  a  pair  of  large,  dark  eyes, 
lighting  up  his  face. 

"Welcome  home,  papa,"  he  said,  running  up  to 
meet  Mr.  Reynolds. 

The  broker  stooped  over  and  kissed  his  son. 
Then  he  said :  "I  have  brought  you  some  company, 
Herbert.  This  is  Grant  Thornton,  the  boy  I  spoke 
to  you  about." 

"I  am  glad  to  make  your  acquaintance,"  said  the 
boy,  with  old-fashioned  courtesy,  offering  his  hand. 

"And  I  am  glad  to  meet  you,  Herbert,"  re- 
sponded Grant,  pleasantly. 

The  little  boy  looked  up  earnestly  In  the  face  of 
his  father's  office  boy. 


HELPING   HIMSELF  73 

"I  think  I  shall  like  you,"  he  said. 

Mr.  Reynolds  looked  pleased,  and  so  did  Grant. 

"I  am  sure  we  shall  be  very  good  friends,"  said 
our  hero. 

"Herbert,"  said  his  father,  "will  you  show 
Grant  the  room  he  is  to  occupy?" 

"It  is  next  to  mine,  isn't  It,  papa?" 

"Yes,  my  son." 

"Come  with  me,"  said  Herbert,  putting  his  hand 
in  Grant's.    "I  will  show  you  the  way." 

Grant,  who  was  only  accustomed  to  the  plain 
homes  in  his  native  village,  was  impressed  by  the 
evidence  of  wealth  and  luxury  observable  in  the 
house  of  the  stock  broker.  The  room  assigned  to 
him  was  small,  but  it  was  very  handsomely  fur- 
nished, and  he  almost  felt  out  of  place  in  it.  But 
it  was  not  many  days,  to  anticipate  matters  a  little, 
before  he  felt  at  home. 

Herbert  took  Grant  afterward  into  his  own 
room. 

"See  my  books,"  he  said,  leading  the  way  to  a 
bookcase,  containing  perhaps  a  hundred  volumes, 
the  majority  of  a  juvenile  character,  but  some 
suited  to  more  mature  tastes. 

"Do  you  like  reading?"  asked  Grant. 

"I  have  read  all  the  books  you  see  here,"  an- 
swered Herbert,  "and  some  of  papa's  besides.  1 
like  to  read  better  than  to  play." 


74  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"But  you  ought  to  spend  some  of  your  time  In 
play,  or  you  will  not  grow  up  healthy." 

"That  is  what  papa  says.  I  try  to  play  some, 
but  I  don't  care  much  about  It." 

Grant  was  no  longer  surprised  at  the  little  boy's 
delicacy.  It  was  clear  that  he  needed  more  amuse- 
ment and  more  exercise.  "Perhaps,"  he  thought, 
"I  can  Induce  Herbert  to  exercise  more." 

"When  do  you  take  dinner?"  he  asked. 

"At  half-past  six.    There  is  plenty  of  time." 

"Then  suppose  we  take  a  little  walk  together. 
We  shall  both  have  a  better  appetite." 

"I  should  like  to,"  replied  Herbert;  "that  Is, 
with  you.    I  don't  like  to  walk  alone." 

"How  far  Is  Central  Park  from  here?" 

"A  little  over  a  mile." 

"I  have  never  seen  It.  Would  you  mind  walking 
as  far  as  that?" 

"Oh,  no." 

So  the  two  boys  walked  out  together.  They  were 
soon  engaged  In  an  animated  conversation,  consist- 
ing, for  the  most  part,  of  questions  proposed  by 
Grant,  and  answers  given  by  Herbert. 

Not  far  from  the  park  they  came  to  a  vacant  lot 
where  some  boys  were  playing  ball. 

"Now,  If  we  only  had  a  ball,  Herbert,"  said 
Grant,  "we  might  have  a  little  amusement." 

"I've  got  a  ball  in  my  pocket,  but  I  don't  use  It 
much." 


HELPING  HIMSELF  75 

"Let  me  see  it." 

Herbert  produced  the  ball,  which  proved  to  be 
an  expensive  one,  better  than  any  Grant  had  ever 
owned. 

"There,  Herbert,  stand  here,  and  I  will  place 
myself  about  fifty  feet  away.  Now,  throw  it  to  me, 
no  matter  how  swiftly." 

They  were  soon  engaged  in  throwing  the  ball  to 
each  other.  Grant  was  a  good  ball  player,  and  he 
soon  interested  the  little  boy  in  the  sport.  Our  hero 
was  pleased  to  see  Herbert's  quiet,  listless  manner 
exchanged  for  the  animation  which  seemed  better 
suited  to  a  boy. 

"You  are  improving,  Herbert,"  he  said,  after  a 
while.     "You  would  make  a  good  player  in  time." 

"I  never  liked  it  before,"  said  the  little  boy.  "I 
never  knew  there  was  so  much  fun  in  playing  ball." 

"We  shall  have  to  try  it  every  day.  I  suppose  it 
is  about  time  to  go  home  to  supper." 

"And  we  haven't  been  to  Central  Park,  after 
all." 

"That  will  do  for  another  day.  Are  boys  allow- 
ed to  play  ball  in  the  park?" 

"Two  afternoons  in  the  week,  I  believe,  but  I 
never  played  there." 

"We  shall  have  to  try  it  some  day." 

"I  should  like  to  play — with  you." 

They  reached  home  in  full  time  for  dinner.  At 
the  dinner  table  Mr.  Reynolds  was  struck  by  the 


76  HELPING   HIMSELF 

unusually  bright  and  animated  face  of  his  son,  and 
his  good  appetite. 

"What  have  you  been  doing  to  make  you  so 
hungry,  Herbert?"  he  asked. 

"I  took  a  walk  with  Grant,  and  we  had  a  fine 
game  of  ball." 

"I  am  glad  to  hear  It,"  said  the  broker,  much 
pleased.  "If  you  want  to  become  stout  and  strong 
like  Grant,  that  is  the  best  thing  for  you  to  do." 

"I  never  liked  playing  ball  before,  papa." 

"That  is  a  compliment  to  you.  Grant,"  said  the 
broker,  smiling. 

"I  think,"  he  said  to  the  prim,  elderly  lady  who 
presided  over  the  household,  acting  as  housekeeper, 
"Herbert  will  be  the  better  for  having  a  boy  In  the 
house." 

"I  don't  know  about  that,"  said  Mrs.  Estabrook, 
stiffly.  "When  he  came  into  the  house  he  had  mud 
on  his  clothes.  Lie  never  did  that  till  this  boy 
came." 

"I  won't  complain  of  that,  if  his  health  Is  Im- 
proved." 

Mrs.  Estabrook,  who  was  a  poor  relation  of 
Herbert's  mother,  pursed  up  her  mouth,  but  did 
not  reply.  In  her  eyes.  It  was  more  Important  that 
?i  boy  should  keep  his  clothes  whole  and  clean  than 
to  have  color  In  his  cheeks,  and  health  In  his  frame. 

"I  hope  that  boy  won't  stay  here  long,"  she 
thought,  referring,  of  course,  to  Grant.     "He'll 


HELPING   HIMSELF  77 

quite  spoil  Herbert  by  making  him  rough  and  care- 
less of  his  appearance." 

"Well,  Herbert,  and  how  do  you  like  Grant?" 
asked  Mr.  Reynolds,  as  his  son  was  bidding  him 
good-night  before  going  to  bed. 

"I  am  so  glad  you  brought  him  here,  papa.  I 
shall  have  good  times  now.  You'll  let  him  stay  all 
the  time,  won't  you  ?" 

"I'll  see  about  it,  Herbert,"  answered  his  father, 
smiling. 


THOMftS  HiP.Me 


78  HELPING   HIMSELF 


CHAPTER  XII 

MRS.  ESTABROOK's  PLANS 

Grant  was  going  home  with  Mr.  Reynolds  at 
the  close  of  the  fourth  day,  when  it  occurred  to  him 
to  say  what  had  been  in  his  mind  for  some  t'lm&i 
"Isn't  it  time,  Mr.  Reynolds,  for  me  to  be  looking 
out  for  a  boarding  place  ?" 

The  broker  smiled,  and  said  with  assumed  con- 
cern: "Are  you  dissatisfied  with  your  present 
boarding  place?" 

"How  could  I  be,  sir?"  returned  Grant,  earnest- 
ly. "But  you  told  me  I  could  stay  with  you  a  week> 
while  I  was  looking  about  for  a  suitable  place  to 
board." 

"That  is  true.  Now,  however,  there  is  a  diffi- 
culty about  your  making  a  change." 

"What  is  that,  sir?" 

"Herbert  would  not  give  his  consent.  The  fact 
is.  Grant,  Herbert  finds  so  much  pleasure  in  your 
society,  and  derives  so  much  advantage  from  the 
increased  exercise  you  lead  him  to  take,  that  I  think 
you  will  have  to  make  up  your  mind  to  stay." 

Grant's  face  showed  the  pleasure  he  felt. 


HELPING   HIMSELF  79 

"I  shall  be  very  glad  to  stay,  Mr.  Reynolds,"  he 
answered,  "if  you  are  willing  to  have  me." 

"I  had  this  in  view  from  the  first,"  said  the 
broker,  "but  I  wanted  to  see  how  you  and  Herbert 
got  along.  I  wished  to  be  sure,  also,  that  your  in- 
fluence on  him  would  be  good.  Of  that  I  can  have 
no  doubt,  and  I  am  glad  to  receive  you  as  a  member 
of  my  family." 

There  was  one  member  of  the  household,  how- 
ever, who  was  not  so  well  pleased  with  the  pro- 
posed arrangement.  This  was  Mrs.  Estabrook, 
the  housekeeper. 

As  the  week  drew  to  a  close,  she  said,  one  even- 
ing after  the  boys  had  retired: 

"How  much  longer  is  the  office  boy  to  stay  here, 
Mr.  Reynolds?" 

"Why  do  you  ask?"  inquired  the  broker. 

"Only  with  reference  to  domestic  arrange- 
ments," answered  the  housekeeper,  disconcerted. 

"He  will  remain  for  a  considerable  time,  Mrs. 
Estabrook." 

"I — I  thought  he  was  only  going  to  stay  a 
week." 

"He  is  company  for  Herbert,  and  I  think  It  de- 
sirable to  keep  him." 

"Herbert  soils  his  clothes  a  deal  more  now  than 
he  used  to  do,"  said  the  housekeeper,  discontent- 
edly. "I  am  sure  I  don't  know  where  the  other  boy 
carries  him." 


8o  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"Nor  I,  but  I  am  not  afraid  to  trust  him  with 
Grant.  As  to  the  clothes,  I  consider  them  of  very 
small  account,  compared  with  my  boy's  health." 

Mrs.  Estabrook  knitted  in  silence  for  five  min- 
utes. She  was  by  no  means  pleased  with  her  em- 
ployer's plan,  having  taken  a  dislike  to  Grant,  for 
which.  Indeed,  her  chief  reason  was  jealousy.  She 
had  a  stepson,  a  young  man  of  twenty-one.  In  Mr. 
Reynolds'  office,  whom  she  would  like  to  have  In 
the  house  in  place  of  Grant.  But  Mr.  Reynolds 
had  never  taken  notice  of  her  occasional  hints  to 
that  effect.  The  housekeeper's  plans  were  far- 
reaching.  She  knew  that  Herbert  was  delicate,  and 
doubted  If  he  would  live  to  grow  up.  In  that  case, 
supposing  her  stepson  had  managed  to  ingratiate 
himself  with  the  broker,  why  might  he  not  hope  to 
become  his  heir?  Now  this  Interloper,  as  she  called 
Grant,  had  stepped  Into  the  place  which  her  own 
favorite — his  name  was  Willis  Ford — should  have 
had.  Mrs.  Estabrook  felt  aggrieved,  and  unjustly 
treated,  and  naturally  incensed  at  Grant,  who  was 
the  unconscious  cause  of  her  disappointment.  She 
returned  to  the  charge,  though,  had  she  been  wiser, 
she  would  have  foreborne. 

"Do  you  think  a  poor  boy  like  this  Grant  Thorn- 
ton Is  a  suitable  companion  for  a  rich  man's  son, 
Mr.  Reynolds  ?  Excuse  me  for  suggesting  it,  but  I 
am  so  Interested  In  dear  Herbert." 

"Grant  Thornton  Is  the  son  of  a  country  minis- 


HELPING   HIMSELF  8i 

ter,  and  has  had  an  excellent  training,"  said  the 
broker,  coldly.  "The  fact  that  he  is  poor  is  no 
objection  in  my  eyes.  I  think,  Mrs.  Estabrook,  we 
will  dismiss  I'le  subject.  I  think  myself  competent 
to  choose  my  son's  associates." 

"I  hope  you  will  excuse  me,"  said  the  house- 
keeper, seeing  that  she  had  gone  too  far.  "I  am  so 
attached  to  the  dear  child." 

"If  you  are,  you  will  not  object  to  the  extra  trou- 
ble you  may  have  with  his  clothes,  since  his  health 
is  benefited." 

"That  artful  young  beggar  has  wound  his  way 
into  his  employer's  confidence,"  thought  Mrs.  Esta- 
brook, resentfully,  "but  it  may  not  be  always  so." 

A  few  minutes  later,  when  the  housekeeper  was 
in  her  own  sitting-room,  she  was  told  that  Willis 
Ford  wanted  to  see  her. 

Mrs.  Estabrook's  thin  face  lighted  up  with  pleas- 
ure, for  she  was  devotedly  attached  to  her  stepson. 

"Bring  him  up  here  at  oncC;"  she  said. 

A  minute  later  the  young  man  entered  the  room. 
He  was  a  thin,  sallow-complexioned  young  man, 
with  restless,  black  eyes,  and  a  discontented  expres- 
sion— as  of  one  who  thinks  he  is  not  well  used  by 
the  world. 

"Welcome,  my  dear  boy,"  said  the  housekeeper, 
warmly.    "I  am  so  glad  to  see  you." 

Willis  submitted  reluctantly  to  his  stepmother's 


,82  HELPING   HIMSELF 

caress,  and  threw  himself  into  a  rocking  chair  oppo- 
site her. 

"Are  you  well,  Willis?"  asked  Mrs.  Estabrook, 
anxiously. 

"Yes,  I'm  well  enough,"  muttered  the  young 
man. 

"I  thought  you  looked  out  of  sorts." 

"I  feel  so." 

"Is  anything  the  matter?" 

"Yes;  I'm  sick  of  working  at  such  starvation 
wages." 

"I  thought  fifteen  dollars  a  week  a  very  good 
salary.  Only  last  January  you  were  raised  three 
dollars." 

"And  I  expected  to  be  raised  three  dollars  more 
on  the  first  of  July." 

"Did  you  apply  to  Mr.  Reynolds?" 

"Yes,  and  he  told  me  I  must  wait  till  next  Janu- 
ary." 

"I  think  he  might  have  raised  you,  if  only  on  ac- 
count of  the  connection  between  our  families.", 

"Perhaps  he  would  if  you  would  ask  him, 
mother." 

"I  will  when  there  is  a  good  opportunity.  Still, 
Willis,  I  think  fifteen  dollars  a  week  very  com- 
fortable." 

"You  don't  know  a  young  man's  expenses, 
mother." 

"How  much  do  you  pay  for  board,  Willis?" 


HELPING   HIMSELF  83 

*'Six  dollars  a  week.  I  have  a  room  with  a 
friend,  or  I  should  have  to  pay  eight." 

"That  leaves  you  nine  dollars  a  week  for  all 
other  expenses.  I  think  you  might  save  something 
out  of  that." 

'T  can't.  I  have  clothes  to  buy,  and  sometimes  I 
want  to  go  to  the  theatre,  and — in  fact,  nine  dollars 
don't  go  as  far  as  you  think.  Of  course,  a  woman 
doesn't  need  to  spend  much.  It's  different  with  a 
young  man." 

"Your  income  would  be  a  good  deal  increased  If 
you  had  no  board  to  pay." 

"Of  course.  You  don't  know  any  generous 
minded  person  who  will  board  me  for  nothing,  do 
you?" 

"There's  a  new  office  boy  in  your  office,  isn't 
there?" 

"Yes,  a  country  boy." 

"Did  you  know  he  was  boarding  here?" 

"No;  is  he?" 

"Mr.  Reynolds  told  me  to-night  he  was  going  to 
keep  him  here  permanently,  as  a  companion  for  his 
little  son." 

"Lucky  for  him." 
^      "I  wish  Mr.  Reynolds  would  give  you  a  home 
here." 

"I  would  rather  he  would  make  it  up  In  money, 
and  let  me  board  where  I  please." 

"But  you  forget.    It  would  give  you  a  chance  to 


.84  HELPING   HIMSELF 

get  him  Interested  in  you,  and  if  Herbert  should 
die,  you  might  take  his  place  as  heir." 

"That  would  be  a  splendid  idea,  but  there's  no 
prospect  of  it.    It  Isn't  for  me." 

"It  may  be  for  the  office  boy.  He's  an  artful 
boy,  and  that's  what  he's  working  for,  in  my  opin- 
ion." 

"I  didn't  think  the  little  beggar  was  so  evil- 
headed.    He  seems  quiet  enough." 

"Still  waters  run  deep.  You'd  better  keep  an 
eye  on  him,  and  I'll  do  the  same." 

"I  will." 

The  next  day  Grant  was  puzzled  to  understand 
why  Willis  Ford  spoke  so  sharply  to  him,  and  re- 
garded him  with  such  evident  unfriendliness. 

"What  have  I  done  to  offend  you?"  he  thought. 


HELPING  HIMSELF  85 


CHAPTER  XIII 

TWO  VIEWS  OF  TOM  CALDER 

Thus  far  nothing  had  been  said  about  the  com- 
pensation Grant  was  to  receive  for  his  work  in  the 
broker's  office.  He  did  not  Hke  to  ask,  especially 
as  he  knew  that  at  the  end  of  the  first  week  the 
matter  would  be  settled.  When  he  found  that  he 
was  to  remain  for  the  present  at  the  house  of  his 
employer  he  concluded  that  his  cash  pay  would  be 
very  small,  perhaps  a  dollar  a  week.  However, 
that  would  be  doing  quite  as  well  as  if  he  paid  his 
own  board  elsewhere,  while  he  enjoyed  a  much 
more  agreeable  and  luxurious  home.  He  would  be 
unable  to  assist  his  father  for  a  year  or  two;  but 
that  was  only  what  he  had  a  right  to  expect. 

When  Saturday  afternoon  came,  Mr.  Reynolds 
said:  "By  the  way.  Grant,  I  must  pay  you  your 
week's  wages.    I  believe  no  sum  was  agreed  upon." 

"No,  sir." 

"We  will  call  It  six  dollars.  Will  that  be  satis- 
factory?" 


86  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"Very  much  so,  Mr.  Reynolds;  but  there  will  be 
a  deduction  for  board." 

Mr.  Reynolds  smiled. 

"That  Is  a  different  matter,"  he  said.  "That 
comes  to  you  as  Llerbert's  companion.  It  Is  worth 
that  to  me  to  have  my  boy's  happiness  Increased." 

Grant  was  overjoyed  at  the  bright  prospect 
opened  before  him,  and  he  said,  with  glowing  face  : 
"You  are  very  kind,  Mr.  Reynolds.  Now  I  shall 
be  able  to  help  my  father." 

"That  Is  very  creditable  to  you,  my  boy.  Willis, 
you  may  pay  Grant  six  dollars." 

Willis  Ford  did  so,  but  he  looked  very  glum. 
He  estimated  that,  Including  his  board.  Grant 
would  be  In  receipt  of  twelve  dollars  a  week,  or  its 
equivalent,  and  this  was  only  three  dollars  less  than 
he  himself  received,  who  had  been  in  the  office  five 
years  and  was  a  connection  of  the  broker. 

"It's  a  shame,"  he  thought,  "that  this  green, 
country  boy  should  be  paid  nearly  as  much  as  I — 
I  must  call  and  tell  mother." 

Grant  was  a  very  happy  boy  that  evening.  He 
resolved  to  lay  aside  three  dollars  a  week  to  send  to 
his  mother,  to  save  up  a  dollar  a  week  and  deposit 
it  in  some  savings  bank,  and  make  the  other  two 
dollars  answer  for  his  clothing  and  miscellaneous 
expenses. 

On  the  next  Monday  afternoon  Grant  walked 
home  alone,  Mr.  Reynolds  having  some  business 


HELPING   HIMSELF  87 

which  delayed  him.  He  thought  he  would  walk 
up  Broadway,  as  there  was  much  In  that  crowded 
thoroughfare  to  amuse  and  Interest  him. 

Just  at  the  corner  of  Canal  Street  he  came  across 
Tom  Calder.  Tom  was  standing  In  a  listless  atti- 
tude with  his  hands  In  his  pockets,  with  apparently 
no  business  cares  weighing  upon  his  mind. 

"Hello,  Grant!"  he  said,  with  sudden  recogni- 
tion. 

"How  are  you,  Tom?" 

"I'm  all  right,  but  I'm  rather  hard  up." 

Grant  was  not  surprised  to  hear  that. 

"You  see,  there's  a  feller  owes  me  seven  dollars, 
and  I  can't  get  it  till  next  week,"  continued  Tom, 
watching  Grant's  face  to  see  If  he  believed  it. 

Grant  did  not  believe  it,  but  did  not  think  it  nec- 
essary to  say  so. 

"That's  inconvenient,"  he  remarked. 

"I  should  say  it  was.  You  couldn't  lend  me  a 
couple  of  dollars,  could  you  ?" 

"I  don't  think  I  could." 

Tom  looked  disappointed. 

"How  much  do  you  get?"  he  asked. 

"Six  dollars  a  week." 

"That's  pretty  good,  for  a  boy  like  you.  I 
wish  you'd  take  a  room  with  me.  It  would  come 
cheaper." 

"I  shall  stay  where  I  am  for  the  present,"  said 
Grant. 


88  HELPING   HIMSELF 

He  did  not  care  to  mention,  unless  he  were 
asked,  that  he  was  making  his  home  at  the  house  of 
Mr.  Reynolds,  as  it  might  either  lead  to  a  call  from 
Tom,  whom  he  did  not  particularly  care  to  intro- 
duce to  his  new  friends,  or  mjght  lead  to  a  more 
pressing  request  for  a  loan. 

"Where  are  you  boarding?"  asked  Grant,  after 
a  pause. 

"In  Clinton  Place.  I  have  a  room  there,  and  get 
my  meals  where  1  like.  There's  a  chap  from  your 
office  that  lives  in  the  same  house." 

"Who  is  it?"  asked  Grant,  anxiously. 

"It's  Willis  Ford." 

"Is  that  so?"  returned  Grant,  in  surprise.  "Do 
you  know  him?" 

"Only  a  little.  I  don't  like  him.  He's  too  stuck 
up." 

Grant  made  no  comment,  but  in  his  heart  he 
agreed  with  Tom. 

"Are  you  doing  anything?"  he  asked. 

"Not  just  yet,"  answered  Tom,  "I  expect  a 
good  job  soon.  You  haven't  a  quarter  to  spare, 
have  you?"  Grant  produced  the  desired  sum  and 
handed  it  to  his  companion.  He  didn't  fancy  Tom, 
but  he  was  willing  to  help  him  in  a  small  way. 

"Thanks,"  said  Tom.  "That'll  buy  my  supper. 
I'll  give  it  back  to  you  in  a  day  or  two." 

Grant  did  not  think  there  was  much  likelihood 


HELPING   HIMSELF  89 

of  that,  but  felt  that  he  could  afford  to  lose  this 
small  sum. 

Four  days  later  he  met  Tom  In  Wall  Street.  But 
what  a  change !  He  was  attired  In  a  new  suit,  wore 
a  fancy  necktie,  while  a  chain,  that  looked  like 
gold,  dangled  from  his  watch  pocket.  Grant  stared 
at  him  In  amazement. 

"How  are  you.  Grant?"  said  Tom,  patroniz- 
ingly. 

"Very  well,  thank  you." 

"I  hope  you  are  a-doln'  well." 

"Very  well.    You  seem  to  be  prosperous." 

"Yes,"  answered  Tom,  languidly,  evidently  en- 
joying his  surprise.  "I  told  you  I  expected  to  get 
Into  something  good.  By  the  way,  I  owe  you  a 
quarter — there  It  Is.  Much  obliged  for  the  accom- 
modation." 

Grant  pocketed  the  coin,  which  he  had  never  ex- 
pected to  receive,  and  continued  to  regard  Tom 
with  puzzled  surprise.  He  could  not  understand 
what  business  Tom  could  have  found  that  had  so 
altered  his  circumstances.    He  ventured  to  Inquire. 

"I  wouldn't  mind  tellln'  you,"  answered  Tom, 
"but,  you  see.  It's  kind  of  confidential.  I'm  a  con- 
fidential agent;  that's  It." 

"It  seems  to  be  a  pretty  good  business,"  re- 
marked Grant. 

"Yes,  It  is;  I  don't  work  for  nothin',  I  can  tell 
you  that." 


90  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"I'm  glad  of  your  good  luck,  Tom,"  said  Grant, 
and  he  spoke  sincerely.  "I  hope  you'll  keep  your 
agency." 

"Oh,  I  guess  I  will!  A  feller  like  me  is  pretty 
sure  of  a  good  livin',  anyway.    Hello,  Jim!" 

This  last  was  addressed  to  a  flashily  dressed  indi- 
vidual— the  same  one,  in  fact,  that  Grant  had  seen 
on  a  former  occasion  with  Tom. 

"Who's  your  friend?"  asked  Jim,  with  a  glance 
at  Grant. 

"Grant  Thornton.  He's  from  my  place  In  the 
country.  He's  in  the  office  of  Mr.  Reynolds,  a 
broker  in  New  Street." 

"Introduce  me." 

"Grant,  let  me  make  you  acquainted  with  my 
friend,  Jim  Morrison,"  said  Tom,  with  a  flourish. 

"Glad  to  make  your  acquaintance,  Mr.  Thorn- 
ton," said  Jim  Morrison,  jauntily,  offering  his 
hand. 

"Thank  you,"  said  Grant,  in  a  reserved  tone; 
for  he  was  not  especially  attracted  by  the  look  of 
Tom's  friend.    He  shook  hands,  however. 

"Come  'round  and  see  us  some  evenin',  Grant," 
said  Tom.  "We'll  take  you  round,  won't  we, 
Jim?" 

"Of  course  we  will.  Your  friend  should  see 
something  of  the  city." 

"You're  the  feller  that  can  show  him.  Well,  we 
must  be  goin'.    It's  lunch  time." 


HELPING  HIMSELF  91 

Tom  pulled  out  a  watch,  which,  If  not  gold,  was 
of  the  same  color  as  gold,  and  the  two  sauntered 
away. 

"What  in  the  world  can  Tom  have  found  to 
do?"  Grant  wondered. 


92  HELPING  HIMSELE 


CHAPTER  XIV 

WILLIS  ford's  new  FRIENDS 

When  Harry  Becker  left  the  office  at  the  end  of 
two  weeks,  Grant  was  fully  able  to  take  his  place, 
having,  with  Harry's  friendly  assistance,  complete- 
ly mastered  the  usual  routine  of  a  broker's  office. 
He  had  also  learned  the  names  and  offices  of  prom- 
inent operators,  and  was,  in  all  respects,  qualified 
to  be  of  service  to  his  employer. 

Mr.  Reynolds  always  treated  him  with  friendly 
consideration,  and  appeared  to  have  perfect  confi- 
dence in  him.  For  some  reason  which  he  could  not 
understand,  however,  Willis  Ford  was  far  from 
cordial,  often  addressing  him  in  a  fault-finding 
tone,  which  at  first  disturbed  Grant.  When  he 
found  that  it  arose  from  Ford's  dislike,  he  ceased 
to  trouble  himself  about  it,  though  it  annoyed  him. 
He  had  discovered  Ford's  relationship  to  Mrs. 
Estabrook,  who  treated  him  In  the  same  cool  man- 
ner. 

"As  It  appears  I  can't  please  them,"  Grant  said 


HELPING   HIMSELF  93 

to  himself,  "I  won't  make  any  special  effort  to  do 
so."  He  contented  himself  with  doing  his  work 
faithfully,  and  so  satisfying  his  own  conscience. 

One  evening  some  weeks  later.  Grant  was  re- 
turning from  a  concert,  to  which  the  broker  had 
given  him  a  ticket,  when,  to  his  great  surprise,  he 
met  Willis  Ford  walking  with  Tom  Calder  and 
Jim  Morrison.  The  three  were  apparently  on  inti- 
mate terms. 

"Good-evenin',  Grant,"  said  Tom. 

"Good-evening,  Tom." 

Grant  looked  at  Willis  Ford,  but  the  latter's  lip 
curled  and  he  did  not  speak.  Grant,  however, 
bowed  and  passed  on.  He  was  surprised  at  the 
Intimacy  which  had  grown  up  between  Ford  and 
those  two,  knowing  Ford's  spirit  of  exclusiveness. 
He  would  have  been  less  surprised  had  he  known 
that  Morrison  had  first  ingratiated  himself  with 
Ford  by  offering  to  lend  him  money,  and  afterward 
had  lured  him  into  a  gambling  house,  where  Ford, 
not  knowing  that  he  was  a  dupe,  had  been  Induced 
to  play,  and  was  now  a  loser  to  the  extent  of  sev- 
eral hundred  dollars,  for  which  Morrison  held  his 
notes. 

"I  don't  know  when  I  can  pay  you,"  said 
Ford,  gloomily,  when  he  came  to  realize  his  situa- 
tion. 

"Oh,  something  will  turn  up  1"  said  Jim  Morri- 
son, lightly.     "I  shan't  trouble  you." 


94  HELPING   HIMSELF 

Two  weeks  later,  however,  he  lay  in  wait  for 
Ford  when  he  left  Wall  Street. 

"I  want  to  speak  to  you  a  moment,  Mr.  Ford," 
he  said. 

"Well,  what  is  it?"  asked  Ford,  uncomfortably. 

"I  am  hard  up." 

"So  am  I,"  responded  Willis  Ford. 

"But  you  owe  me  a  matter  of  six  hundred 
dollars." 

"I  know  it,  but  you  said  you  wouldn't  trouble 
me." 

"I  didn't  expect  I  should  be  obliged  to,"  said 
Morrison,  smoothly.  "But  'Circumstances  alter 
cases,'  you  know.     I  shall  have  to  ask  you  for  it." 

"That's  all  the  good  it  will  do,"  said  Willis,  ir- 
ritably.   "I  haven't  a  cent  to  my  name." 

"When  do  you  expect  to  have?" 

"Heaven  knows;  I  don't." 

Ford  was  about  to  leave  his  companion  and  walk 
away,  but  Morrison  had  no  intention  of  allowing 
the  matter  to  end  so.  He  laid  his  hand  on  Ford's 
shoulder  and  said,  firmly:  "Mr.  Ford,  this  won't 
do.    Yours  is  a  debt  of  honor,  and  must  be  paid." 

"Will  you  be  kind  enough  to  let  me  know  how  it 
is  to  be  paid?"  demanded  Ford,  with  an  ugly  sneer. 

"That  is  your  business,  not  mine,  Mr.  Ford." 

"Then,  if  it  is  my  business,  I'll  give  you  notice 
when  I  can  pay  you.    And  now,  good-afternoon." 


HELPING  HIMSELF  95 

He  made  another  attempt  to  walk  away,  but 
again  there  v/as  a  hand  placed  upon  his  shoulder. 

"Understand,  Mr.  Ford,  that  I  am  In  earnest," 
said  Morrison.  "I  can't  undertake  to  tell  you  how 
you  are  to  find  the  money,  but  It  must  be  found." 

"Suppose  It  Isn't?"  said  Ford,  with  a  look  of 
defiance. 

"Then  I  shall  seek  an  Interview  with  your  re- 
spected em.ployer,  tell  him  of  the  debt,  and  how  it 
was  Incurred,  and — I  think  he  would  look  for  an- 
other clerk." 

"You  wouldn't  do  that!"  said  Ford,  his  face  be- 
traying consternation. 

"I  would,  and  I  will,  unless  you  pay  what  you 
owe  me." 

"But,  man,  how  am  I  to  do  it?  You  will  drive 
me  to  desperation." 

"Take  three  days  to  think  of  it.  If  you  can't 
raise  it,  I  may  suggest  a  way." 

The  two  parted,  and  Willis  Ford  was  left  to 
many  uncomfortable  reflections.  He  knew  of  no 
way  to  raise  the  money;  yet.  If  he  did  not  do  it,  he 
was  menaced  with  exposure  and  ruin.  Would  his 
stepmother  come  to  his  assistance?  He  knew  that 
Mrs.  Estabrook  had  a  thousand  dollars  in  govern- 
ment bonds.  If  he  could  only  induce  her  to  give 
him  the  custody  of  them  on  any  pretext,  he  could 
meet  the  demand  upon  him,  and  he  would  never 
again  incur  a  debt  of  honor.    He  cursed  his  folly 


96  HELPING   HIMSELF 

for  ever  yielding  to  the  temptation.  Once  let  him 
get  out  of  this  scrape,  and  he  would  never  get  into 
another  like  it. 

The  next  evening  he  made  a  call  upon  Mrs. 
Estabrook,  and  made  himself  unusually  agreeable. 
The  cold-hearted  woman,  whose  heart  warmed  to 
him  alone,  smiled  upon  him  with  affection. 

"I  am  glad  to  see  you  in  such  good  spirits,  Wil- 
lis," she  said. 

"If  she  only  knew  how  I  really  felt,"  thought 
her  stepsoH.  But  it  was  for  his  interest  to  wear  a 
mask. 

"The  fact  is,  mother,"  he  said,  "I  feel  very 
cheerful.  I've  made  a  little  turn  in  stocks,  and 
realized  three  hundred  dollars." 

"Have  you,  indeed,  Willis?  I  congratulate  you, 
my  son.    No  doubt  you  will  find  the  money  useful." 

"No  doubt  of  that.  If  I  had  the  capital,  I  could 
make  a  good  deal  more." 

"But  there  would  be  the  danger  of  losing,"  sug- 
gested Mrs.  Estabrook. 

"That  danger  is  very  small,  mother.  I  am  in  a 
situation  to  know  all  about  the  course  of  stocks.  I 
v/ouldn't  advise  another  to  speculate,  unless  he  has 
some  friend  in  the  Stock  Exchange;  but  for  me  it  is 
perfectly  safe." 

"Pray  be  careful,  Willis." 

"Oh,  yes.    I  am  sure  to  be.    By  the  way,  mother, 


HELPING  HIMSELF  97 

haven't    you    got    some    money    in    government 
bonds?" 

"A  little,"  answered  Mrs.  Estabrook,  cautiously. 

"How  much,  now?" 

"About  a  thousand  dollars." 

"Let  me  manage  it  for  you,  and  I  will  make  it 
two  thousand  inside  of  a  month," 

Mrs.  Estabrook  had  a  large  share  of  acquisi- 
tiveness, but  she  had  also  a  large  measure  of  cau- 
tion, which  she  had  inherited  from  her  Scotch 
ancestry. 

"No,  Willis,"  she  said,  shaking  her  head,  "I 
can't  take  any  risk.  This  money  it  has  taken 
me  years  to  save.  It  is  the  sole  dependence  I  have 
for  my  old  age,  and  I  can't  run  the  risk  of  los- 
ing it." 

"But  two  thousand  dollars  will  be  better  than 
one,  mother.  Just  let  me  tell  you  what  happened 
to  a  customer  of  ours :  He  had  above  five  hundred 
dollars  in  the  savings  bank,  drawing  four  per  cent, 
interest — only  twenty  dollars  a  year.  He  had  a 
friend  in  the  Stock  Exchange  who  took  charge  of 
it,  bought  stocks  judiciously  on  a  margin,  then  re- 
invested, and  now,  after  three  months,  how  much 
do  you  think  it  amounts  to?" 

"How  much?"  asked  the  housekeeper,  with  in- 
terest. 

"Six  thousand  five  hundred  dollars — just  thir- 
teen times  as  much!"  answered  Willis,  glibly. 


98  HELPING   HIMSELF 

This  story,  by  the  way,  was  all  a  fabrication,  in- 
tended to  Influence  his  stepmother.  Mrs.  Esta- 
brook  never  doubted  Ford's  statement,  but  her  In- 
stinctive caution  saved  her  from  falling  Into  the 
trap. 

"It  looks  tempting,  Willis,"  she  said,  "but  I 
don't  dare  to  take  the  risk." 

Ford  was  deeply  disappointed,  but  did  not  be- 
tray It. 

"It  Is  for  you  to  decide,"  said  he,  carelessly,  then 
drifted  to  other  subjects. 

Ten  minutes  later  he  pressed  his  hand  upon  his 
breast,  while  his  features  worked  convulsively. 
"I — believe  I  am  sick,"  he  said. 

"What  can  I  do  for  you,  my  dear  son?"  asked 
the  housekeeper,  In  alarm. 

"If — you  have  a  glass  of  brandy!"  gasped 
Willis. 

"I  will  go  downstairs  and  get  some,"  she  said, 
hurriedly. 

No  sooner  had  she  left  the  room  than  Willis 
sprang  to  his  feet,  locked  the  door,  then  went  to  the 
bureau,  unlocked  the  upper  drawer — he  had  a  key 
in  his  pocket  which  fitted  the  lock — and,  thrusting 
In  his  hand,  drew  out  a  long  envelope  containing 
one  five-hundred-dollar  government  bond  and  five 
bonds  of  one  hundred  dollars  each,  which  he  thrust 
Into  his  side  pocket.  Then,  closing  the  drawer,  he 
unlocked  the  door  of  the  room,  and  when  his  step- 


HELPING   HIMSELF  99 

mother  returned  he  threw  himself  back  In  his  chair, 
groaning.  He  took  the  glass  of  brandy  the  house- 
keeper brought  him,  and,  after  a  few  minutes,  pro- 
fessing himself  much  better,  left  the  house. 

"Saved!"  he  exclaimed,  triumphantly.    "Now  I 
shall  be  all  right  again." 


100  HELPING  HIMSELF 


CHAPTER  XV 

AN  ARTFUL  TRAP 

Willis  Ford  was  anxious  to  get  away.  He 
feared  that  Mrs.  Estabrook  might  go  to  the  bu- 
reau and  discover  the  loss  before  he  got  out  of  the 
house,  which  would  make  it  awkward  for  him. 
Once  out  in  the  street,  he  breathed  more  freely. 
He  had  enough  with  him  to  pay  his  only  debt,  and 
give  him  four  hundred  dollars  extra.  It  might  be 
supposed  he  would  feel  some  compunction  at  rob- 
bing his  stepmother  of  her  all.  Whatever  her 
faults,  she  was  devoted  to  him.  But  Willis  Ford 
had  a  hard,  selfish  nature,  and  the  only  thought 
that  troubled  him  was  the  fear  that  he  might  be 
found  out.  Indeed,  the  housekeeper's  suspicions 
would  be  likely  ♦'o  fall  upon  him  unless  they  could 
be  turned  in  some  other  direction.  Who  should  it 
be?  There  came  to  him  an  evil  suggestion  which 
made  his  face  brighten  with  relief  and  malicious 
joy.  The  new  boy.  Grant  Thornton,  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  household.  He  probably  had  the  run  of 
the  house.  What  more  probable  than  that  he 
should  enter  Mrs.  Estabrook's  chamber  and  search 


HELPING   HIMSELF  loi 

her  bureau?  This  was  the  way  Willis  reasoned. 
He  knew  that  his  stepmother  hated  Grant,  and 
would  be  very  willing  to  believe  anything  against 
him.  He  would  take  care  that  suspicion  should  fall 
in  that  direction.  He  thought  of  a  way  to  heighten 
that  suspicion.  What  it  was  my  readers  will  learn 
in  due  time. 

The  next  day,  at  half-past  eight  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  on  his  way  down  Broadway,  Willis  Ford 
dropped  into  the  Grand  Central  Hotel,  and  walked 
through  the  reading  room  in  the  rear.  Here  sat 
Jim  Mrorison  and  Tom  Calder,  waiting  for  him 
by  appointment. 

Ford  took  a  chair  beside  them. 

"Good-morning,"  he  said,  cheerfully. 

"Have  you  brought  the  money?"  asked  Morri- 
son, anxiously. 

"Hush!  don't  speak  so  loud,"  said  Ford,  cau- 
tiously. "We  don't  want  everybody  to  know  our 
business." 

"All  right,"  said  Morrison,  In  a  lower  voice; 
"but  have  you  brought  it?" 

"Yes." 

"You're  a  trump!"  said  Morrison,  his  face  ex- 
pressing his  joy. 

"That  is  to  say,  I've  brought  what  amounts  to 
the  same  thing." 

"If  it's  your  note,"  said  Morrison,  with  sharp 
disappointment,  "I  don't  want  it." 


102  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"It  Isn't  a  note.  It's  what  will  bring  the  money." 

"What  is  it,  then?" 

"It's  government  bonds  for  six  hundred  dollars." 

"1  don't  know  anything  about  bonds,"  said  Mor- 
rison. "Besides,  the  amount  is  more  than  six  hun- 
dred dollars." 

"These  bonds  are  worth  a  hundred  and  twelve, 
amounting  in  all  to  six  hundred  and  seventy-two 
dollars.  That's  forty  more  than  I  owe  you.  I 
won't  make  any  account  of  that,  however,  as  you 
will  have  to  dispose  of  them." 

"I  may  get  Into  trouble,"  said  Morrison,  sus- 
piciously.    "Where  did  they  come  from?" 

"That  does  not  concern  you,"  said  Ford,  haught-, 
ily.    "Don't  I  give  them  to  you  ?" 

"But  where  did  you  get  them?" 

"That  Is  my  business.  If  you  don't  want  them, 
say  the  word,  and  I'll  take  them  back." 

"And  when  will  you  pay  the  money?" 

"I  don't  know,"  answered  Ford,  curtly. 

"Maybe  he'll  sell  'em  for  us  himself,"  suggested 
Tom  Calder. 

"Good,  Tom!  Why  can't  you  sell  'em  and  give 
me  the  money?  Then  you  can  pay  the  exact  sum 
and  save  the  forty  dollars." 

"I  don't  choose  to  do  so,"  said  Ford.  "It  seems 
to  me  you  are  treating  me  In  a  very  strange  man- 
ner. I  offer  you  more  than  I  owe  you,  and  you 
make  no  end  of  objections  to  receiving  It." 


HELPING   HIMSELF  103 

"I  am  afraid  I'll  get  into  trouble  if  I  offer  the 
bonds  for  sale,"  said  Morrison,  doggedly.  "I  don't 
know  anybody  in  the  business  except  you." 

"Yes,  you  do,"  said  Ford,  a  bright  idea  occur- 
ring to  him. 

"Who?" 

"You  know  the  boy  in  our  office." 

"Grant  Thornfon?"  said  Tom. 

"Yes,  Grant  Thornton.  Manage  to  see  him, 
and  zsL  him  to  dispose  of  the  bonds  for  you.  He 
will  bring  them  to  our  office,  and  I  will  dispose  of 
them  without  asking  any  questions." 

"First  rate!"  said  Tom.  "That'll  do,  won't  it, 
Jim?" 

"I  don't  see  why  it  won't,"  answered  Morrison, 
appearing  satisfied. 

"I  would  suggest  that  you  see  him  some  time  to- 
day." 

"Good !    Hand  over  the  bonds." 

Willis  Ford  had  already  separated  the  bonds 
into  two  parcels,  six  hundred  in  one  and  four  hun- 
dred in  the  other.  The  first  of  these  he  passed  over 
to  Jim  Morrison. 

"Put  it  into  your  pocket  at  once,"  he  said.  "We 
don't  want  anyone  to  see  them.  There  is  a  tele- 
graph boy  looking  at  us." 

"I'm  going  to  see  if  it  is  all  there,"  muttered 
Morrison ;  and  he  drew  from  the  envelope  the  two 


■••.■*■ 


104  HELPING   HIMSELF 

bonds,  and  ascertained,  by  a  personal  inspection, 
that  they  were  as  represented. 

"It's  all  right,"  he  said. 

"You  might  have  taken  my  word  for  it,"  said 
Willis  Ford,  offended. 

"In  matters  of  business  I  take  no  one's  word," 
chuckled  the  confidence  man. 

"I  wonder  what  they're  up  to,"  said  the  little 
telegraph  boy  to  himself.  "I  know  one  of  them 
fellers  is  a  gambler.  Wonder  who  that  feller  with 
him  is?    Them  must  be  gov'ment  bonds." 

Johnny  Cavanagh  was  an  observing  boy,  and 
mentally  photographed  upon  his  memory  the  faces 
of  the  entire  group,  though  he  never  expected  to 
see  any  of  them  again. 

When  Grant  was  hurrying  through  Wall  Street 
about  noon  he  came  upon  Tom  Calder  and 
Morrison. 

"Hello,  there,  Grant,"  said  Tom,  placing  his 
hand  upon  his  shoulder. 

"What's  the  matter,  Tom?  I'm  in  a  hurry," 
said  Grant. 

"Jim  Morrison's  got  a  little  business  for  you." 

"What  Is  It?" 

"He  wants  you  to  sell  gov'ment  bonds  for  him." 

"You'd  better  take  them  round  to  our  office." 

"I  haven't  got  time,"  said  Morrison.  "Just 
attend  to  them,  like  a  good  fellow,  and  I'll  give  you 
a  dollar  for  your  trouble." 


HELPING   HIMSELF  105 

"How  much  have  you  got  ?" 

"Six  hundred — a  five  hundred  and  a  one." 

"Are  they  yours?" 

"Yes;  I've  had  'em  two  years,  but  now  I've  got 
to  raise  money." 

"What  do  you  want  for  them?" 

"Regular  price,  whatever  it  is." 

"When  will  you  call  for  the  money?" 

"Meet  me  at  Fifth  Avenue  Hotel  with  it  to- 
morrow morning  at  nine  o'clock." 

"I  shall  have  to  meet  you  earlier — say  half-past 
eight." 

"All  right.    Here's  the  bonds." 

Grant  put  the  envelope  into  his  pocket,  and  hur- 
ried to  the  Exchange, 

When  he  returned  to  the  office  he  carried  the 
bonds  to  Willis  Ford. 

"Mr.  Ford,"  he  said,  "an  acquaintance  of  mine 
handed  them  to  me  to  be  sold." 

"Some  one  you  know?"  queried  Ford. 

"I  know  him  slightly." 

"Well,  I  suppose  it's  all  right.  I'll  make  out  a 
check  to  your  order,  and  you  can  collect  the  money 
at  the  bank. 

Grant  interposed  no  objection,  and  put  the  check 
in  his  pocket. 

"The  boy's  fallen  into  the  trap,"  said  Willis  to 
himself,  exultantly,  as  he  proceeded  to  enter  the 
transaction  on  the  books. 


io6  HELPING   HIMSELF 


CHAPTER  XVI 

GRANT  FALLS  UNDER  SUSPICION 

In  furtherance  of  his  scheme  to  throw  suspicion 
upon  Grant,  Willis  Ford  decided  to  make  another 
call  upon  his  stepmother  the  succeeding  evening. 
It  occurred  to  him  that  she  might  possibly  connect 
his  visit  of  the  evening  before  with  her  loss,  and  he 
wished  to  forestall  this. 

"Is  Mrs.  Estabrook  at  home?"  he  asked  of  the 
servant. 

"Yes,  sir." 

When  the  housekeeper  made  her  appearance  he 
ciirefully  scrutinized  her  face.  She  was  calm  and 
placid,  and  it  was  clear  that  she  had  not  discovered 
the  abstraction  of  the  bonds. 

"I  dare  say  you  are  surprised  to  see  me  so  soon 
again,"  he  commenced. 

"I  am  always  glad  to  see  you,  Willis,"  she  said. 
"Come  upstairs." 

"What  a  pleasant  room  you  have,  mother!" 

"Yes,  I  am  very  comfortable.  Have  you  had 
any  return  of  your  sickness?"  she  asked,  anxiously. 


HELPING   HIMSELF  107 

"No,  I  have  been  perfectly  well.  By  the  way, 
mother,  I  have  a  special  object  in  calling." 

"What  is  it,  Willis?" 

"I  want  to  speak  to  you  about  those  bonds  of 
yours.  If  you  will  only  sell  them  out,  and  invest  In 
Erie,  I  am  sure  you  will  make  in  six  months  a  sum 
equal  to  several  years  interest." 

"That  may  be,  Willis,  but  I  am  very  timid  about 
taking  a  risk.  Those  bonds  represent  all  the  prop- 
erty I  have." 

Willis  Ford's  conscience  pricked  him  a  little, 
when  he  heard  her  speaking  thus  of  the  property 
he  had  so  heartlessly  stolen;  but  he  did  not  show 
it  In  his  manner. 

"What  is  the  date  of  your  bonds,  mother?"  he 
asked. 

"I  don't  know.   Does  that  make  any  difference  ?" 

"It  makes  some  difference.     Those  that  have 
longest  to  run  are  most  valuable." 
'     "I  can  easily  tell,"  said  the  housekeeper,  as  she 
rose  from  her  chair  and  opened  the  bureau  drawer, 
in  full  confidence  that  the  bonds  were  safe. 

It  was  an  exciting  moment  for  Willis  Ford, 
knowing  the  sad  discovery  that  awaited  her. 

She  put  her  hand  in  that  part  of  the  drawer 
where  she  supposed  the  bonds  to  be,  and  found 
nothing.  A  shade  of  anxiety  overspread  her  face, 
and  she  searched  hurriedly  in  other  parts  of  the 
drawer.  I 


io8  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"Don't  you  find  them,  mother?"  asked  Willis. 

"It  is  very  strange,"  said  Mrs.  Estabrook,  half 
to  herself. 

"What  is  strange?" 

"I  always  kept  the  bonds  in  the  right-hand  cor- 
ner of  this  drawer." 

"And  you  can't  find  them?" 

"I  have  looked  all  over  the  drawer." 

"You  may  have  put  them,  by  mistake,  in  one  of 
the  other  drawers." 

"Heaven  grant  it!"  said  Mrs.  Estabrook,  her 
face  white  with  anxiety. 

"Let  me  help  you,  mother,"  said  Willis,  rising. 

She  did  not  object,  for  her  hands  trembled  with 
nervousness. 

The  other  drawers  were  opened  and  were  thor- 
oughly searched,  but,  of  course,  the  bonds  were  not 
found. 

Mrs.  Estabrook  seemed  near  fainting. 

"I  have  been  robbed,"  she  said.    "I  am  ruined." 

"But  who  could  have  robbed  you?"  asked  Ford, 
innocently. 

"I — don't — know.  Oh,  Willis!  it  was  cruel!" 
and  the  poor  woman  burst  into  tears.  "All  these 
years  I  have  been  saving,  and  now  I  have  lost  all. 
I  shall  die  in  the  poorhouse  after  all." 

"Not  while  I  am  living,  mother,"  said  Willis. 
"But  the  bonds  must  be  found.  They  must  be  mis- 
laid." 


HELPING   HIMSELF  109 

"No,  no !  they  are  stolen.  I  shall  never  see  them 
again." 

"But  who  has  taken  them?  Ha!  I  have  an 
Idea." 

"What  is  it?"  asked  the  housekeeper,  faintly. 

"That  boy — Grant  Thornton — he  lives  in  the 
house,  doesn't  he?" 

"Yes,"  answered  Mrs.  Estabrook,  in  excitement. 
"Do  you  think  he  can  have  robbed  me?" 

"What  a  fool  I  am !  I  ought  to  have  suspected 
when " 

"When  what?" 

"When  he  brought  some  bonds  to  me  to-day  to 
sell." 

"He  did!"  exclaimed  Mrs.  Estabrook;  "what 
were  they?" 

"A  five-hundred-dollar  and  a  hundred-dollar 
bond." 

"I  had  a  five-hundred  and  five  one-hundred- 
dollar  bonds.  They  were  mine — the  young  vil- 
lain !" 

"I  greatly  fear  so,  mother." 

"You  ought  to  have  kept  them,  Willis.  Oh! 
why  didn't  you?  Where  is  the  boy?  I  will  see 
Mr.  Reynolds  at  once." 

"Wait  a  minute,  till  I  tell  you  all  I  know.  The 
boy  said  the  bonds  were  handed  to  him  by  an 
acquaintance." 

"It  was  a  falsehood." 


no  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"Do  you  know  the  number  of  your  bonds, 
mother?" 

"Yes,  I  have  them  noted  down,  somewhere." 

"Good !  I  took  the  number  of  those  the  boy 
gave  me  for  sale." 

Mrs.  Estabrook  found  the  memorandum.  It 
was  compared  with  one  which  Willis  Ford  brought 
with  him,  and  the  numbers  were  identical.  Four 
numbers,  of  course,  were  missing  from  Ford's  list. 

"That  seems  pretty  conclusive,  mother.  The 
young  rascal  has  stolen  your  bonds,  and  offered  a 
part  of  them  for  sale.  It  was  certainly  bold  in  him 
to  bring  them  to  our  office.    Is  he  in  the  house?" 

"I'll  go  and  see." 

"And  bring  Mr.  Reynolds  with  you,  If  you  can 
find  him." 

In  an  excited  state,  scarcely  knowing  what  she 
did,  the  housekeeper  went  downstairs  and  found 
both  parties  of  whom  she  was  in  search  in  the  same 
room.  She  poured  out  her  story  in  an  incoherent 
manner,  inveighing  against  Grant  as  a  thief. 

When  Grant,  with  some  difficulty,  understood 
what  was  the  charge  against  him,  he  was  almost 
speechless  with  indignation. 

"Do  you  mean  to  say  I  stole  your  bonds?"  he  de- 
manded. 

"Yes,  I  do;  and  it  was  a  base,  cruel  act." 

"I  agree  with  you  In  that,  Mrs.  Estabrook.    It 


HELPING   HIMSELF  iii 

was  base  and  cruel,  but  I  had  nothing  to  do 
with  it." 

"You  dare  to  say  that,  when  you  brought  the 
bonds  to  my  son,  WiUis,  to  be  sold  to-day?" 

"Is  this  true.  Grant?"  asked  Mr.  Reynolds. 
"Did  you  sell  any  bonds  at  the  office  to-day?" 

"Yes,  sir." 

The  broker  looked  grave. 

"Where  did  you  get  them  ?"  he  asked. 

"They  were  handed  to  me  by  an  acquaintance  in 
Wall  Street." 

"Who  was  he?" 

"His  name  is  James  Morrison." 

"What  do  you  know  of  him?  Is  he  in  any  busi- 
ness?" 

"I  know  very  little  of  him,  sir." 

"Have  you  handed  him  the  money?" 

"No,  sir.  I  am  to  meet  him  to-morrow  morning 
at  the  Fifth  Avenue  Hotel,  and  pay  him." 

"Why  doesn't  he  call  at  the  office  ?" 

"I  don't  know,"  answered  Grant,  puzzled.  "I 
suggested  to  him  to  bring  the  bonds  to  the  office 
himself,  but  he  said  he  was  in  haste,  and  offered  me 
a  dollar  to  attend  to  the  matter." 

"This  seems  a  mysterious  case." 

"Excuse  me,  Mr.  Reynolds,  but  I  think  it  is 
plain  enough,"  said  the  housekeeper,  spitefully. 
"That  boy  opened  my  bureau  drawer,  and  stole  the 
bonds." 


^ 


112  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"That  is  not  true,  Mr.  Reynolds,"  exclaimed 
Grant,  indignantly. 

"How  did  you  know  the  bonds  were  offered  for 
sale  at  my  office  to-day,  Mrs.  Estabrook?"  Inquired 
the  broker. 

"My  son— Willis  Ford— told  me." 
"When  did  you  see  him  ?" 
"Just  now." 

"Is  he  In  the  house  ?" 
Yes,  sir.    I  left  him  in  my  room." 

"Ask  him  to  be  kind  enough  to  accompany  you 
here." 

The  housekeeper  left  the  room.     Grant  and  his 
employer  remained  silent  during  her  absence. 


..•<>.f**^ 


HELPING  HIMSELF  113 


CHAPTER  XVII 

THE  TELLTALE   KEY 

Willis  Ford  entered  the  presence  of  his  em- 
ployer with  an  air  of  confidence  which  he  did  not 
feel.  ICnowing  his  own  guilt,  he  felt  ill  at  ease  and 
nervous;  but  the  crisis  had  come  and  he  must 
meet  it. 

"Take  a  seat,  Mr.  Ford,"  said  Mr.  Reynolds, 
gravely.  "Your  stepmother  tells  me  that  she  has 
lost  some  government  bonds?" 

"All  I  had  in  the  world,"  moaned  the  house- 
keeper. 

"Yes,  sir;  I  regret  to  say  that  she  has  been 
robbed." 

"I  learn,  moreover,  that  a  part  of  the  bonds 
were  brought  to  my  office  for  sale  to-day?" 

"Yes,  sir." 

"And  by  Grant  Thornton?" 

"He  can  answer  that  question  for  himself,  sir. 
He  is  present." 

"It  is  true,"  said  Grant,  quietly. 

"Did  you  ask  him  where  the  bonds  came  from?" 


114  HELPING   HLMSELF 

"He  volunteered  the  information.  He  said  they 
were  intrusted  to  him  for  sale  by  a  friend." 

"Acquaintance,"  corrected  Grant. 

"It  may  have  been  so.  I  understood  him  to  say 
friend." 

"You  had  no  suspicions  that  anything  was 
wrong?"  asked  the  broker. 

"No;  I  felt  perfect  confidence  in  the  boy." 

Grant  was  rather  surprised  to  hear  this.  If  this 
were  the  case,  Willis  Ford  had  always  been  very 
successful  in  concealing  his  real  sentiments. 

"How  did  you  pay  him?" 

"In  a  check  to  his  own  order." 

"Have  you  collected  the  money  on  that  check, 
Grant?"  asked  Mr.  Reynolds. 

"Yes,  sir." 

"Have  you  paid  it  out  to  the  party  from  whom 
you  obtained  the  bonds?" 

"No,  sir;  I  am  to  meet  him  to-morrow  morning 
at  the  Fifth  Avenue  Hotel." 

Willis  Ford's  countenance  changed  when  he 
heard  this  statement.  He  supposed  that  Jim  Mor- 
rison already  had  his  money  and  was  safely  off  with 
it.  Now  it  was  clear  that  Grant  would  not  be  al- 
lowed to  pay  it  to  him,  and  his  own  debt  would  re- 
main unpaid.  That  being  the  case,  Morrison 
would  be  exasperated,  and  there  was  no  knowing 
what  he  would  say. 

"What  do  you  know  of  this  man,  Grant?" 


HELPING   HIMSELF  115 

"Very  little,  sir." 

"How  does  he  impress  you — as  an  honest, 
straightforward  man  ?" 

Grant  shook  his  head. 

"Not  at  all,"  he  said. 

"Yet  you  took  charge  of  his  business  for  him?" 

"Yes,  sir;  but  not  willingly.  He  offered  me  a 
dollar  for  my  trouble,  and  as  I  did  not  know  there 

was  anything  wrong,  I  consented.     Besides " 

Here  Grant  paused. 

"Well?" 

"Will  you  excuse  my  continuing,  Mr.  Rey- 
nolds?" 

"No,"  answered  the  broker,  firmly.  "On  the 
other  hand,  I  insist  upon  your  saying  what  you  had 
In  your  mind." 

"Having  seen  Mr.  Ford  In  this  man's  company, 
I  concluded  he  was  all  right." 

Willis  Ford  flushed  and  looked  disconcerted. 

"Is  this  true,  Mr.  Ford?"  asked  the  broker. 
"Do  you  know  this  man?" 

"What  do  you  say  his  name  was,  Thornton?" 
asked  Ford,  partly  to  gain  time. 

"James  Morrison." 

"Yes ;  I  know  him.  He  was  Introduced  to  me  by 
an  intimate  friend  of  that  boy,"  indicating  Grant. 

Willis  Ford  smiled  triumphantly.  He  felt  that 
he  had  checkmated  our  hero. 

"Is  this  true.  Grant?" 


ii6  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"I  presume  so,"  ansv/ered  Grant,  coolly.  "You 
reler  to  Tom  Calder,  do  you  not,  Mr.  Ford?" 

"I  believe  that  is  his  name." 

"He  is  not  an  intimate  friend  of  mine,  but  we 
came  from  the  same  village.  It  is  that  boy  who 
was  with  me  when  I  first  met  you,  Mr.  Reynolds." 

l^he  broker's  face  cleared. 

"Yes,  I  remember  him.  But  how  do  you  happen 
to  know  Tom  Calder,  Mr.  Ford?" 

"He  had  a  room  at  the  same  house  with  me.  He 
introduced  himself  as  a  friend  of  this  boy." 

"Do  you  know  anything  of  him — how  he  earns 
his  living?" 

"Haven't  the  faintest  idea,"  answered  Ford. 
"My  acquaintance  with  him  is  very  slight." 
^^  "There  seems  a  mystery  here,"  said  the  broker. 
"This  Morrison  gives  Grant  two  bonds  to  dispose 
of,  which  are  identified  as  belonging  to  my  house- 
keeper. How  did  he  obtain  possession  of  them  ? 
Tha't  is  the  question." 

"There  isn't  much  doubt  about  that,"  said  Mrs. 
Estabrook.  "This  boy  whom  you  have  taken  into 
your  family  has  taken  them." 

"You  are  entirely  mistaken,  Mrs.  Estabrook," 
said  Grant,  Indignantly. 

"Of  course  you  say  so!"  retorted  the  house- 
keeper; "but  it  stands  to  reason  that  that  is  the  way 
it  happened^.  You  took  them  and  gave  them  to  this 
man — that  is,  if  there  is  such  a  man." 


HELPING   HIMSELF  117 

"Your  son  says  there  Is,  Mrs.  Estabrook,"  said 
the  broker,  quietly. 

"Well,  I  don't  intend  to  say  how  It  happened. 
Likely  enough  the  man  is  a  thief,  and  that  boy  is 
his  accomplice." 

"You  will  oblige  me  by  not  jumping  at  conclu- 
sions, Mrs.  Estabrook,"  said  Mr.  Reynolds. 
"Whoever  has  taken  the  bonds  Is  likely  to  be  dis- 
covered. Meanwhile  your  loss  will,  at  all  events, 
be  partially  made  up,  since  Grant  has  the  money 
realized  from  the  sale  of  the  greater  part  of  them." 

"I  should  like  to  place  the  money  In  your  hands, 
Mr.  Reynolds,"  said  Grant. 

"But  It  belongs  to  me,"  said  the  housekeeper. 

"That  Is  undoubtedly  true,"  said  her  employer; 
"but  till  the  matter  Is  ascertained  beyond  a  doubt  L 
wlll  retain  the  money." 

"How  can  there  be  any  doubt?"  asked  the  house- 
keeper, discontented. 

"I  do  not  think  there  is;  but  I  will  tell  you  now. 
You  claim  that  your  bonds  were  marked  by  certain 
numbers,  two  of  which  belong  to  those  which  were 
bought  by  Mr.  Ford  at  the  office  to-day?" 

"Yes,  sir." 

"Meanwhile,  you  and  your  stepson  have  had 
time  to  compare  notes,  and  you  have  had  a  chance 
to  learn  his  numbers." 

Mrs.  Estabrook  turned  livid. 

"I  didn't  expect  to  have  such  a  charge  brought 


ii8  HELPING   HIMSELF 

against  me,  Mr,  Reynolds,  and  by  you,"  she  said, 
her  voice  trembling  with  passion. 

"I  have  brought  no  such  charge,  Mrs.  Esta- 
brook.  1  have  only  explained  how  there  may  be 
doubt  of  your  claim  to  the  money." 

"I  thought  you  knew  me  better,  sir." 

"I  think  I  do,  and  I  also  think  I  know  Grant 
better  than  to  think  him  capable  of  abstracting  your 
bonds.  Yet  you  have  had  no  hesitation  in  bringing 
this  serious  charge  against  him." 

"That  is  different,  sir." 

"Pardon  me,  I  can  see  no  difference.  He  has  the 
same  right  that  you  have  to  be  considered  innocent 
till  he  is  proved  to  be  guilty." 

"You  must  admit,  sir,"  said  Willis  Ford,  "that 
appearances  are  very  much  against  Grant." 

"I  admit  nothing,  at  present;  for  the  affair  seems 
to  be  complicated.  Perhaps,  Mr.  Ford,  you  can 
offer  some  suggestion  that  will  throw  light  upon 
the  mystery." 

"I  don't  think  it  very  mysterious.  Sir.  My 
mother  kept  her  bonds  in  the  upper  drawer  of  her 
bureau.  This  boy  had  the  run  of  the  house.  What 
was  to  prevent  his  entering  my  mother's  room, 
opening  the  drawer,  and  taking  anything  he  found 
of  value?" 

"What  was  to  prevent  some  one  else  doing  it, 
Mr.  Ford — myself,  for  example?" 

"Of  course  that  is  different,  Mr.  Reynolds." 


HELPING   HIMSELF  119 

"Well,  I  don't  know.  I  am  honest,  and  so,  I  be- 
lieve, Is  Grant." 

"Thank  you,  sir,"  said  Grant,  gratefully. 

"It  just  occurred  to  me,"  said  Ford,  "to  ask  my 
mother  if  she  has  at  any  time  lost  or  mislaid  her 
keys." 

"Well  thought  of,  Mr.  Ford,"  and  Mr.  Rey- 
nolds turned  to  his  housekeeper  for  a  reply. 

"No,"  answered  Mrs.  Estabrook.  "I  keep  my 
keys  in  my  pocket,  and  I  have  them  there  yet." 

So  saying,  she  produced  four  keys  attached  to  a 
ring. 

"Then,"  continued  Ford,  "if  Grant  chances  to 
have  a  key  which  will  fit  the  bureau  drawer,  that 
would  be  evidence  against  him." 

"Show  me  any  keys  you  may  have.  Grant,"  said 
the  broker. 

Grant  thrust  his  hand  in  his  pocket  and  drew  out 
two  keys.    He  looked  at  them  in  astonishment. 

"One  of  them  unlocks  my  valise,"  he  said.  "The 
other  is  a  strange  key.    I  did  not  know  I  had  it." 

Ford  smiled  maliciously.  "Let  us  see  if  it  will 
open  the  bureau  drawer,"  he  said. 

The  party  adourned  to  the  housekeeper's  room. 
The  key  was  put  into  the  lock  of  the  bureau  drawer 
and  opened  it  at  once. 

"I  think  there  Is  no  more  to  be  said,"  said  Willis 
Ford,  triumphantly. 

Grant  looked  the  picture  of  surprise  and  dismay. 


I20  HELPING  HIMSELE 


CHAPTER  XVIII 
grant's  enemies  triumph 

It  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  Grant  was  over- 
whelmed by  the  unexpected  discovery,  in  his  pocket, 
of  a  key  that  fitted  the  housekeeper's  drawer.  He 
saw  at  once  how  strong  it  made  the  evidence  against 
him,  and  yet  he  knew  himself  to  be  innocent.  The 
most  painful  thought  v/as,  that  Mr.  Reynolds 
would  believe  him  to  be  guilty. 

In  fact,  the  broker  for  the  first  tim.e  began  to 
think  that  Grant  might  possibly  have  yielded  to 
temptation. 

"Can't  you  account  for  the  possession  of  that 
key?"  he  asked. 

•  "No,  sir,"  answered  Grant,  in  painful  embar- 
rassment. "I  have  occasion  to  use  but  one  key,  and 
that  is  the  key  to  my  valise." 

"I  think  you  had  occasion  to  use  the  other," 
sneered  Ford. 

"Mr.  Ford,"  retorted  Grant,  indignantly,  "you 
are  determined  to  think  me  guilty;  but  I  care  noth- 
ing  for  your  opinion.    I  should  be  very  sorry  if  Mr. 


HELPING   HIMSELF  121 

Reynolds  should  think  me  capable  of  such  base- 
ness." 

"Your  guilt  seems  pretty  clear,"  said  Ford,  sar- 
castically; '"as  I  have  no  doubt  Mr.  Reynolds  will 
agree." 

"Speak  for  yourself,  Mr.  Ford,"  said  the  bank- 
er, quietly. 

"I  hope  you  are  not  going  to  shield  that  young 
thief,  Mr.  Reynolds,"  said  the  housekeeper.  "His 
guilt  is  as  clear  as  noonday.  I  think  he  ought  to 
be  arrested." 

"You  are  rather  in  a  hurry,  Mrs.  Estabrook," 
said  Mr.  Reynolds;  "and  I  must  request  you  to  be 
careful  how  you  make  charges  against  me." 

"Against  you?"  asked  the  housekeeper,  alarmed 
at  his  tone. 

"Yes,"  answered  the  broker,  sternly.  "You  have 
insinuated  that  I  intend  to  shield  a  supposed  thief. 
I  have  only  to  say  that  at  present  the  theft  is  to  be 
proved." 

"I  submit,  sir,"  said  Ford,  "that  the  evidence  is 
pretty  strong.  The  boy  is  proved  to  have  had  the 
bonds  in  his  possession,  he  admits  that  he  sold  a 
part  of  them  and  has  the  money  in  his  possession, 
and  a  key  is  found  in  his  possession  which  will  open 
the  drawer  In  which  the  bonds  were  kept." 

"Who  put  the  key  in  my  pocket?"  demanded 
Grant,  quickly. 

For  a  moment  Willis  Ford  looked  confused,  and 


122  HELPING  HIMSELF 

his  momentary  confusion  was  not  lost  upon  Grant 
or  the  banker. 

"No  doubt  you  put  it  there  yourself,"  he  an- 
swered, sharply,  after  a  monent's  pause. 

"That  matter  will  be  investigated,"  said  the 
broker. 

"I  think  the  money  ought  to  be  paid  to  me,"  said 
the  housekeeper. 

"Can  you  prove  your  ownership  of  the  bonds?" 
asked  the  broker. 

"I  can,"  answered  Willis  Ford,  flippantly.  "I 
have  seen  them." 

"I  should  like  some  additional  evidence,"  said 
Mr.  Reynolds.  "You  are  related  to  Mrs.  Esta- 
brook,  and  may  be  supposed  to  have  some  Interest 
In  the  matter." 

"What  proof  can  I  have?"  asked  the  house- 
keeper, disturbed  by  this  unexpected  obstacle. 

"Have  you  the  memorandum  of  the  broker  who 
bought  you  the  bonds." 

"I  don't  know,  sir." 

"Then  you  had  better  look." 

The  housekeeper  searched  the  drawer,  and  pro- 
duced, triumphantly,  a  memorandum  to  the  effect 
that  she  had  purchased  the  bonds  of  a  well-known 
house  in  Wall  Street. 

"So  far,  so  good!"  said  the  broker.  "It  ap- 
pears that  besides  the  bonds  sold  you  had  four  one- 
hundred-dollar  bonds?" 


HELPING   HIMSELF  123 

"Yes,  sir." 

"You  had  not  parted  with  them?" 

"No,  sir." 

"They  will  some  time  be  put  on  the  market,  and 
then  we  shall  have  a  clew  to  the  mystery." 

"That  boy  has  probably  got  them,"  said  the 
housekeeper,  nodding  her  head  emphatically. 

"You  are  at  liberty  to  search  my  chamber,  Mrs. 
Estabrook,"  said  Grant,  quietly. 

"He  may  have  passed  them  over  to  that  man 
Morrison,"  suggested  the  housekeeper. 

"I  hardly  think  that  likely,"  said  Willis  Ford, 
who  saw  danger  to  himself  in  any  persecution  of 
Jim  Morrison. 

Mr.  Reynolds  noticed  his  defense  of  Morrison, 
and  glanced  at  him  thoughtfully. 

"Mrs.  Estabrook,"  he  said,  "I  am  satisfied  that 
you  possessed  the  bonds  which  you  claim,  and  I  will 
relieve  your  mind  by  saying  that  I  will  guarantee 
you  against  loss  by  their  disappearance.  You  need 
have  no  further  anxiety  on  the  subject.  I  will  un- 
dertake to  investigate  the  matter,  which  at  present 
appears  to  be  involved  in  mystery.  Whether  or 
not  I  succeed  in  solving  it  will  not  matter  to  you, 
since  you  are  saved  from  loss." 

"Thank  you,  sir,"  said  the  housekeeper,  feeling 
considerably  relieved;  "it  wasn't  much,  but  it  was 
my  all.  I  depended  upon  it  to  use  when  old  age 
prevented  me  from  earning  my  living." 


124  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"I  am  glad  you  are  so  wise  in  providing  for  the 
future." 

"You  won't  let  that  boy  escape?"  the  house- 
keeper could  not  help  adding. 

"If  you  refer  to  Grant  Thornton,  I  think  I  may 
say  for  him  that  he  has  no  intention  of  leaving  us." 

"Is  he  to  stay  In  the  house?" 

"Of  course;  and  I  expect  him  to  aid  me  In  com- 
ing to  the  truth.  Let  me  request,  Mrs.  Estabrook, 
that  you  discontinue  referring  to  him  in  offensive 
terms,  or  I  may  withdraw  my  offer  guaranteeing 
you  from  loss.  Grant,  if  you  will  accompany  me,  I 
have  some  questions  to  put  to  you." 

Grant  and  his  employer  left  the  room  together. 

"Lie  won't  let  the  boy  be  punished,  though  he 
must  know  he's  guilty,"  said  Mrs.  Estabrook,  spite- 
fully. 

"He  makes  a  fool  of  himself  about  that  boy," 
said  Willis  Ford,  disconcerted. 

"He's  an  artful  young  vagabond,"  said  the 
housekeeper.     "I  know  he  took  the  bonds." 

"Of  course  he  did,"  Ford  assented,  though  he 
had  the  best  of  reasons  for  knowing  that  Grant 
was  Innocent. 

"At  any  rate,"  he  continued,  "you  are  all  right, 
mother,  since  Mr.  Reynolds  agrees  to  make  up  the 
value  of  the  bonds  to  you.  When  you  get  your 
money,  just  consult  me  about  investing  It.  Don't 
put  it  Into  bonds,  for  they  may  be  stolen." 


HELPING  HIMSELF  125 

"Perhaps  I'd  better  put  it  into  the  savings  bank," 
said  his  stepmother. 

"You'll  get  very  small  interest  there;  I  can  in- 
vest it  so  you  can  make  quite  as  much.  However, 
there  will  be  time  enough  to  speak  of  that  when 
you've  got  the  money.  Now,  mother,  I  shall  have 
to  bid  you  good-evening." 

"Can't  you  stay  longer,  Willis?  T  feel  so  upset 
that  I  don't  like  to  be  left  alone.  I  don't  know 
what  that  boy  may  do." 

"I  think  you  are  safe,"  said  Willis  Ford,  secret- 
ly amused.  But,  as  he  left  the  house,  he  felt  seri- 
ously disquieted.  There  was  danger  that  Jim  Mor- 
rison, when  he  found  the  money  which  he  was  to 
receive  withheld,  would  be  incensed  and  denounce 
Ford,  who  had  received  back  his  evidence  of  in- 
debtedness. Should  he  divulge  that  the  bonds  had 
been  given  him  by  Ford,  Grant  would  be  cleared, 
and  he  would  be  convicted  of  theft. 

As  Ford  was  leaving  the  house  a  telegraph  boy 
was  just  ascending  the  steps.  It  was  John  Cava- 
nagh,  already  referred  to. 

As  his  eyes  rested  on  Ford,  he  said  to  himself: 
"Where  have  I  seen  that  feller?    I  know  his  face." 

Then  it  flashed  upon  the  boy  that  he  had  seen 
Ford  at  the  Grand  Central  Hotel,  In  the  act  of 
giving  bonds  to  Jim  Morrison. 

"It's  queer  I  should  meet  him  here,"  said  the 


126  HELPING   HIMSELF 

telegraph  boy  to  himself.  "I  wonder  what  game 
he's  up  to." 

Johnny  was  introduced  into  the  presence  of  Mr, 
Reynolds,  for  whom  he  had  a  message.  On  his 
way  out  he  met  Grant  in  the  hall.  The  two  boys 
were  acquainted,  Grant  having  at  one  time  ad- 
vanced Johnny  two  dollars  toward  paying  his 
mother's  rent. 

"Do  you  live  here?"  asked  the  telegraph  boy. 

"Yes,"  answered  Grant. 

"I  met  a  feller  goin'  out  that  I've  seen  before. 
Who  was  it?" 

"Willis  Ford,  a  clerk  of  Mr.  Reynolds." 

"I  seed  him  in  the  Grand  Central  Hotel  yester- 
day givin'  some  bonds  to  a  suspicious-lookin'  chap." 

"You  did,"  exclaimed  Grant.  "Come  right  up 
and  tell  that  to  Mr.  Reynolds,"  and  he  seized  the 
astonished  telegraph  boy  by  the  arm. 


HELPING  HIMSELF  127 


CHAPTER  XIX 

IMPORTANT  EVIDENCE 

Mr.  Reynolds  looked  rather  surprised  when 
Grant  appeared,  drawing  the  telegraph  boy  after 
him. 

"This  boy  has  got  something  to  tell  you  about 
Mr.  Ford,"  said-Gra'it,  breathless  with  excitement. 

"About  Mr,  Ford?"  repeated  the  broker. 
"What  do  you  know  about  Willis  Ford?" 

"I  don't  know  his  name,"  replied  Johnny.  "It's 
the  chap  that  just  went  out  of  the  house." 

"It  was  Mr.  Ford,"  explained  Grant. 

"Tell  me  what  you  know  about  him,"  said  the 
broker,  encouragingly. 

"I  seed  him  in  the  Grand  Central  Hotel,  givin' 
some  bond  to  a  flashy-lookin'  man.  There  was  a 
boy  wid  him,  a  big  boy." 

"With  whom— Mr.  Ford?" 

"No,  wid  the  other  chap." 

"I  know  who  he  means,  sir,"  said  Grant.  "It 
was  Tom  Calder." 

"And  the  man?" 


128  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"Was  Jim  Morrison,  the  same  man  that  gave 
me  the  bonds  to  sell" 

"That  seems  important,"  said  Mr.   Reynolds. 
"I  did  not  believe  Ford  capable  of  such  rascality." 

"He  had  as  good  a  chance  to  take  the  bonds  as  I, 
sir.    He  was  here  last  evening." 

"Was  he?"  asked  the  broker,  quickly.  "I  did 
not  know  that." 

"He  was  here  for  an  hour  at  least.  I  saw  him 
come  in  and  go  out." 

Mr.  Reynolds  asked  several  more  questions  of 
the^telegraph  boy,  and  enjoined  hi  mto  silence. 

"My  boy,"  he  said,  "come  here  to-morrow  even- 
ing at  half-past  seven.    I  may  want  you." 

"I  will,  sir,  if  I  can  get  away.  I  shall  be  on 
duty." 

"Say  to  the  telegraph  company  that  I  have  an 
errand  for  you.    Your  time  will  be  paid  for." 

"That  will  make  it  all  right,  sir." 

"And,  meanwhile,  here  is  a  dollar  for  your  own 
use." 

Johnny's  eyes  sparkled,  for  with  his  limited  earn- 
ings this  sum  would  come  in  very  handy.  He  turn- 
ed away,  nearly  forgetting  the  original  errand  that 
brought  him  to  the  house,  but  luckily  it  occurred  in 
time.  The  nature  of  it  has  nothing  to  do  with  this 
story. 

^^  When  Johnny  had  gone,  Mr.  Reynolds  said: 
•'Grant,  I  need  not  caution  you  not  to  breathe  a 


HELPING  HIMSELF  129 

word  of  this.    I  begin  to  think  that  there  is  a  con- 
spiracy against  you;  but  whether  Willis  Ford  is    r^ 
alone  in  it,  or  has  a  confederate  I  cannot  decide. 
My  housekeeper  does  not  appear  to  like  you." 

"No,  sir,  I  am  sorry  to  say  she  does  not;  but  I 
don't  think  she  is  in  this  plot.  I  think  she  honestly 
believes  that  I  stole  her  bonds." 

"I  have  too  great  confidence  in  you  to  believe  it. 
I  own  I  was  a  little  shaken  when  the  key  was  found. 
You  have  no  idea  how  it  came  in  your  pocket,  1 
suppose?" 

"No,  sir,  I  can't  guess.  I  might  suspect  Mr. 
Ford  of  putting  it  there,  but  I  can't  see  how  he 
managed  it." 

"Well,  we  will  let  matters  take  their  course. 
You  will  go  to  work  as  usual,  and  not  speak  a  word 
of  what  has  happened  this  evening." 

"Thank  you,  sir." 

Meanwhile,  we  must  follow  Willis  Ford.  When 
he  left  the  house,  he  wa's  by  no  means  in  a  comfor- 
table frame  of  mind.  He  felt  that  it  was  abso- 
lutely necessary  to  see  Jim  Morrison,  and  have  an 
understanding  with  him.  What  arrangements  he 
could  make  with  him,  or  how  he  could  reconcile 
him  to  the  loss  of  the  money  which  he  had  ex- 
pected to  receive  from  the  sale  of  the  bonds,  he 
could  not  yet  imagine.  Perhaps  he  would  be  will- 
ing to  receive  the  other  four  bonds  in  part  pay- 
ment.   In  that  case  Willis  himself  would  not  profit 


130  HELPING   HIMSELF 

as  much  as  he  had  hoped  from  the  theft ;  but  there 
seemed  no  alternative.  He  had  got  himself  into  a 
scrape,  and  he  must  get  out  of  it  the  best  way 
possible. 

Though  he  did  not  know  where  to  find  Morri- 
son, he  thought  it  likely  that  he  might  be  seen  at 
the  White  Elephant,  a  large  and  showy  billiard 
room  on  Broadway,  near  Thirtieth  Street.  There 
were  several  gambling  houses  near  by,  and  there  or 
in  that  neighborhood  he  thought  that  Morrison 
might  be  met. 

He  was  right.  On  entering  the  billiard  room  he 
found  the  man  he  sought  playing  a  game  of  bil- 
liards with  Tom  Calder,  at  the  first  table. 

"I  want  to  see  you,  Morrison,"  he  said,  in  a  low 
voice.    "Is  the  game  'most  finished?" 

"I  have  only  six  points  more  to  make.  I  shall 
probably  run  out  this  time." 

He  was  right  in  his  estimate.  Two  minutes  later 
the  two  went  out  of  the  saloon  together,  accom- 
panied by  Tom. 

"Well,  what  is  it?"  he  asked. 

"Let  us  turn  into  a  side  street." 

They  turned  into  Thirtieth  Street,  which  was 
much  less  brilliantly  lighted  than  Broadway,  and 
sauntered  leisurely  along. 

"Did  you  buy  the  bonds  of  that  boy?"  asked 
Morrison,  anxiously. 

"Yes." 


HELPING  HIMSELF  131 

"Then  it's  all  right.  Have  you  brought  me  the 
money?" 

"How  should  I?"  returned  Ford,  impatiently. 
"I  couldn't  pay  him,  and  keep  the  money  myself." 

"Oh,  well,  it  doesn't  matter.  He  is  to  meet  me 
to-morrow  morning  and  hand  over  the  money." 

"I  am  afraid  you  will  be  disappointed." 

"Disappointed,"  repeated  Morrison,  quickly. 
"What  do  you  mean?     The  boy  hasn't  made  off 

with  the  money,  has  he?    If  he  has "  and  the 

sentence  ended  with  an  oath. 

"No,  it  isn't  as  you  suppose." 

"Then  why  won't  he  pay  me  the  money,  I'd  like 
to  know?" 

"There  is  some  trouble  about  the  bonds.  It  is 
charged  that  they  are  stolen." 

"How  is  that?  You  gave  them  to  me,"  said 
Morrison,  suspiciously. 

Now  came  the  awkward  moment.  However, 
Ford  had  decided  on  the  story  he  would  tell. 

"They  were  given  me  by  a  person  who  owed  me 
money,"  he  said,  plausibly.  "How  was  I  to  know 
they  were  stolen  ?" 

"They  were  stolen,  then?" 

"I  suppose  so.    In  fact,  I  know  so." 

"How  do  you  know  ?" 

"Well — in  fact,  they  were  stolen  from  my  step- 
mother." 

Morrison  whistled. 


132  HELPING  HIMSELF 

"Well,  he  said. 

"Of  course  you  mustn't  say  that  I  gave  them  to 
you.    You  would  get  me  into  trouble." 

"So  you  want  to  save  yourself  at  my  expense  ?  I 
am  to  be  suspected  of  stealing  the  bonds,  am  I? 
That's  a  decidedly  cool  proposal,  but  it  won't  do. 
I  shall  clear  myself,  by  telling  just  where  I  got  the 
bonds." 

"That's  what  I  want  you  to  do." 

"You  do!"  ejaculated  the  gambler,  in  surprise. 

"Yes.  You  are  to  say  that  the  boy  gave  them  to 
you." 

"Why  should  I  say  that?" 

"Because  he  is  already  suspected  of  stealing  the 
bonds." 

"But  I  gave  them  to  him  to  sell." 

"You  mustn't  admit  it.  There  Is  no  proof  of  it 
except  his  word." 

"What's  your  game?  Whatever  it  is,  it  is  too 
deep  for  me." 

"I've  got  it  all  arranged.  You  are  to  say  that 
the  boy  owed  you  a  gambling  debt,  and  agreed  to 
meet  you  to-morrow  morning  to  pay  it.  Of  the 
bonds,  you  are  to  l^now  nothing,  unless  you  say  that 
he  told  you  he  had  some  which  he  was  going  to  sell, 
in  order  to  get  money  to  pay  you." 

"What  advantage  am  I  to  get  out  of  all  this?" 

"What  advantage?  Why,  you  will  save  your- 
self from  suspicion."    . 


HELPING  HIMSELF  133 

"That  isn't  enough.  I  didn't  take  the  bonds, 
and  you  know  it.    I  believe  you  did  it  yourself." 

"Hush!"  said  Willis  Ford,  looking  around  hini 
nervously. 

"Look  here,  Ford,  I  gave  up  your  I  O  U,  and 
now  I  find  I've  got  to  whistle  for  my  money." 

"Go  with  me  to  my  room,  and  you  shall  have 
four  hundred  dollars  to-night." 

"In  cash?" 

"No;  in  bonds." 

"Some  more  of  the  same  kind?  No,  thank  you, 
I  want  ready  money." 

"Then  give  me  a  little  more  time,  and  I  will  dis- 
pose of  them — ^when  this  excitement  blows  over." 

Finally  Morrison  gave  a  sulky  assent,  and  the 
conspirators  parted. 


134  HELPING  HIMSELF 


CHAPTER  XX 

AT  THE  FIFTH  AVENUE  HOTEL 

"If  I  thought  he  was  playing  me  false,"  said 
Jim  Morrison,  after  Ford  and  himself  had  parted 
company,  "I'd  make  him  smart  for  it." 

"I  guess  it's  all  right,"  said  Tom,  who  was  less 
experienced  and  less  suspicious  than  his  companion. 

"It  may  be  so,  but  I  have  my  suspicions.  I  don't 
trust  Willis  Ford." 

"Shall  you  go  round  to  the  Fifth  Avenue  Hotel 
to  meet  Grant  to-morrow  morning." 

"Of  course  I  shall.  I  want  to  see  what  the  boy 
says.  It  may  be  a  put-up  job  between  him  and 
Ford." 

The  very  same  question  was  put  by  Grant  to  Mr. 
Reynolds. 

"Shall  I  go  round  to  the  hotel  to-morrow  morn- 
ing to  see  Morrison  and  Tom  Calder?" 

The  broker  paused  a  moment  and  looked 
thoughtful. 

"Yes,"  he  answered,  after  a  pause.    "You  may." 


HELPING  HIMSELF  135 

"And  what  shall  I  say  when  he  demands  the 
money?" 

Upon  this  Mr.  Reynolds  gave  Grant  full  instruc- 
tions as  to  what  he  desired  him  to  say. 

About  quarter  after  eight  o'clock  the  next  morn- 
ing a  quiet-looking  man,  who  looked  like  a  respec- 
table bookkeeper  entered  the  Fifth  Avenue  Hotel 
and  walked  through  the  corridor,  glancing,  as  it 
seemed,  indifferently,  to  the  right  and  left.  Finally 
he  reached  the  door  of  the  reading  room  and  en- 
tered. His  face  brightened  as  at  the  further  end 
he  saw  two  persons  occupying  adjoining  seats. 
They  were,  in  fact,  Morrison  and  Tom  Calder. 

The  newcomer  selected  a  Boston  daily  paper, 
and,  as  it  seemed,  by  chance,  settled  himself  in  a 
seat  not  six  feet  away  from  our  two  acquaintances, 
so  that  he  could,  without  much  effort,  listen  to  their 
conversation. 

"It's  almost  time  for  Grant  to  come,"  said  Tom, 
after  a  pause. 

"Yes,"  grumbled  Morrison,  "but  as  he  won't 
have  any  money  for  me,  I  don't  feel  as  anxious  as  I 
should  otherwise." 

"What'll  you  say  to  him?" 

"I  don't  know — yet.  I  want  to  find  out  whether 
Ford  has  told  the  truth  about  the  bonds.  I  believe 
he  stole  'em  himself." 

Five  minutes  later  Grant  entered  the  reading- 
room.     A  quick  glance  showed  him,  not  only  the 


136  HELPING  HIMSELF 

two  he  had  come  to  meet,  but  the  quiet,  little  man 
who  was  apparently  absorbed  in  a  copy  of  the  Bos- 
ton Journal.    He  went  up  at  once  to  meet  them. 

"I  believe  I  am  in  time,"  he  said. 

"Yes,"  answered  Jim  Morrison.  "Have  you 
brought  the  money?" 

"No." 

"Why  not?"  demanded  Morrison,  with  a  frown. 

"There  was  something  wrong  about  the  bonds 
you  gave  me  to  sell." 

"Weren't  they  all  right?  They  weren't  counter- 
feit, were  they?" 

"They  were  genuine,  but " 

"But  what?" 

"A  lady  claims  that  they  belong  to  her — that 
they  were  stolen  from  her.  Of  course  you  can  ex- 
plain how  they  came  into  your  hands?" 

"They  were  given  me  by  a  party  that  owed  me 
money.  If  he's  played  a  trick  on  me,  it  will  be  the 
worse  for  him.    Did  you  sell  them?" 

^Tes." 

"Then  give  me  the  money." 

"Mr.  Reynolds  won't  let  me.'* 

"Does  he  think  I  took  the  bonds?"  asked  Morri- 
son, hastily. 

"No,  he  doesn't,"  answered  Grant,  proudly, 
"but  he  would  like  to  have  an  interview  with  you, 
and  make  some  inquiries,  so  that  he  may  form  some 
idea  as  to  the  person  who  did  take  them.    They 


HELPING   HIMSELF  137 

belonged  to  his  housekeeper,  Mrs.  Estabrook,  who 
is  the  stepmother  of  Mr.  Ford,  a  young  man  em- 
ployed In  our  office." 

Tom  Calder  and  Jim  Morrison  exchanged 
glances.  Grant's  story  agreed  with  Ford's,  and 
tended  to  confirm  their  confidence  in  his  good  faith. 

"When  does  he  want  to  see  me?"  asked  Morri- 
son. 

"Can  you  call  at  his  house  this  evening  at  eight 
o'clock?" 

"Where  does  he  live?"  . 

Grant  mentioned  the  street  and  number. 

"I  will  be  there,"  he  said,  briefly. 

"Can  I  come,  too?"  asked  Tom  Calder,  address- 
ing the  question  to  Grant. 

"There  will  be  no  objection,  I  think." 

"Tell  him  we'll  be  on  hand." 

The  three  left  the  hotel  together,  Grant  taking  a 
Broadway  stage  at  the  door.  The  quiet  man  seem- 
ed no  longer  Interested  In  the  Boston  Journal,  for 
he  hung  It  up  In  Its  place,  and  sauntered  out  of  the 
hotel.  He  had  not  attracted  the  attention  of  Jim 
Morrison  or  Tom. 

When  Grant  entered  the  office,  and  with  his 
usual  manner  asked  Ford  If  he  should  go  to  the 
post-office,  the  young  man  eyed  him  curiously. 

"Are  you  to  remain  In  the  office?"  he  said. 

"Yes,  I  suppose  so," 

"After  what  you  have  done?" 


138  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"What  have  I  done,  Mr.  Ford?"  asked  Grant, 
eyeing  the  young  man,  steadily. 

"I  don't  think  you  need  to  have  me  tell  you,"  he 
said,  with  a  sneer.  I  don't  think  Mr.  Reynolds  is 
very  prudent  to  employ  a  boy  convicted  of  dis- 
honesty." 

"Do  you  believe  me  guilty,  Mr.  Ford?'*  asked 
our  hero,  calmly. 

"The  evidence  against  you  Is  overwhelming.  My 
mother  ought  to  have  you  arrested." 

"The  person  who  stole  the  bonds  may  be  ar- 
rested." 

"What  do  you  mean?"  asked  Willis  Ford,  flush- 
ing, and  looking  disconcerted. 

"I  mean  that  I  have  no  concern  in  the  matter. 
Shall  I  go  to  the  post-oflice  ?" 

"Yes,"  snapped  Ford,  "and  take  care  you  don't 
steal  any  of  the  letters." 

Grant  did  not  reply.  He  knew  that  his  vindica- 
tion was  certain,  and  he  was  willing  to  wait. 

If  Willis  Ford  had  been  prudent  he  would  have 
dropped  the  matter  there,  but  his  hatred  of  Grant 
was  too  great  to  be  easily  concealed.  When  a  few 
minutes  later  the  broker  entered  the  office  and  In- 
quired, "Where  is  Grant?"  Ford,  after  answering, 
"he  has  gone  to  the  post-office,"  could  not  help  say- 
ing, "Are  you  going  to  keep  that  boy,  Mr.  Rey- 
itolds?" 

"Why  should  I  not?"  the  broker  replied. 


HELPING   HIMSELF  139 

"I  thought  a  boy  in  his  position  ought  to  be 
honest." 

"I  agree  with  you,  Mr.  Ford,"  said  the  broker, 
quietly. 

"After  taking  my  mother's  bonds,  that  can  hard- 
ly be  said  of  Grant  Thornton." 

"You  seem  to  be  sure  he  did  take  them,  Mr. 
Ford." 

"The  discovery  of  the  key  settled  that  to  my 
mind." 

"Grant  says  he  has  no  knowledge  of  the  key." 

Ford  laughed  scornfully. 

"Of  course  he  would  say  so,"  he  replied. 

"I  propose  to  investigate  the  matter  further," 
said  the  broker.  "Can  you  make  it  convenient  to 
call  at  my  house  this  evening?  Possibly  something 
may  be  discovered  by  that  time." 

"Yes,  sir;  I  will  come,  with  pleasure.  I  have  no 
feeling  in  regard  to  the  boy,  except  that  I  don't 
think  it  safe  to  employ  him  in  a  business  like  yours." 

"I  agree  with  you,  Mr.  Ford.  One  who  is  capa- 
ble of  stealing  bonds  from  a  private  house  is  unfit 
to  be  employed  in  an  office  like  mine." 

"Yet  you  retain  the  boy,  sir?" 

"For  the  present.  It  is  not  fair  to  assume  that 
he  is  guilty  till  we  have  demonstrated  it  beyond  a 
doubt." 

"I  think  there  will  be  no  difficulty  about  that. 


I40  HELPING   HIMSELF 

Mr.  Reynolds,"  said  Willis  Ford,  well  pleased  at 
these  words. 

"I  sincerely  hope  that  his  Innocence  may  be 
proved." 

Soon  afterward  Mr.  Reynolds  went  to  the  Stock 
Exchange,  and  Willis  Ford  returned  to  his  routine 
duties. 

"With  the  testimony  of  Jim  Morrison  I  shall  be 
able  to  fix  you,  my  young  friend,"  he  said  to  him- 
self, as  Grant  returned  from  the  post-office. 

No  further  allusion  was  made  to  the  matter  dur- 
ing the  day.  Grant  and  Willis  Ford  were  both 
looking  forward  to  the  evening,  but  for  different 
reasons.  Grant  expected  to  be  vindicated,  while 
Ford  hoped  he  could  convince  the  broker  of  the 
boy's  guilt 


HELPING  HIMSELF.  141 


CHAPTER  XXI 

THE  THIEF  IS  DISCOVERED  i 

Willis  Ford  ascended  the  steps  of  the  broker's 
residence  with  a  jaunty  step.  The  servant  ad- 
mitted him,  but  he  met  Grant  in  the  hall. 

"Won't  you  come  upstairs,  Mr.  Ford?"  he  said. 

Willis  Ford  nodded  superciliously. 

"Your  stay  in  the  house  will  be  short,  young 
man,"  he  thought.  "You  had  better  make  the  most 
of  it." 

He  was  ushered  not  into  the  housekeeper's  room, 
but  into  a  sitting-room  on  the  second  floor.  He 
found  Mr.  Reynolds  and  his  stepmother  there  al- 
ready. Both  greeted  him,  the  broker  gravely,  but 
his  stepmother  cordially.     Grant  did  not  come  in. 

"I  have  come  as  you  requested,  Mr.  Reynolds," 
he  said.  "I  suppose  it's  about  the  bonds.  May  I 
ask  if  you  have  discovered  anything  new?" 

"I  think  I  have,"  answered  the  broker,  slowly. 

The  housekeeper  looked  surprised.  If  anything 
new  had  been  discovered,  she  at  least  had  not 
heard  it 


142  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"May  I  ask  what  it  Is?"  Ford  inquired,  care- 
lessly. 

"You  shall  know  In  good  time.  Let  me,  how- 
ever, return  the  question.  Have  you  hea.rd  any- 
thing calculated  to  throw  light  on  the  mystery?" 

"No,  sir,  I  can't  say  I  have.  To  my  mind  there 
is  no  mystery  at  all  about  the  affair." 

"I  presume  I  understand  what  you  mean.  Still 
I  will  ask  you  to  explain  yourself." 

"Everything  seems  to  throw  suspicion  upon  that 
boy.  Grant  Thornton.  Nobody  saw  him  take  the 
bonds,  to  be  sure,  but  he  has  had  every  opportunity 
of  doing  so,  living  in  the  same  house,  as  he  does. 
Again,  a  key  has  been  found  in  his  pocket,  which 
will  open  the  bureau  drawer  in  which  the  bonds 
were  kept;  and,  thirdly,  I  can  testify,  and  the  boy 
admits,  that  he  presented  them  at  our  office  for  sale, 
and  received  the  money  for  them.  I  think,  sir,  that 
any  jury  would  consider  this  accumulation  of  proof 
conclusive." 

"It  does  seem  rather  strong,"  said  the  broker, 
gravely.  "I  compliment  you  on  the  way  you  have 
summed  up,  Mr.  Ford." 

Willis  Ford  looked  much  gratified.  He  was  sus- 
ceptible to  flattery,  and  he  was  additionally  pleased, 
because,  as  he  thought,  Mr.  Reynolds  was  impress- 
ed by  the  weight  of  evidence. 

"I  have  sometimes  thought,"  he  said,  compla- 


HELPING  HIMSELF  143 

cently,  "that  I  ought  to  have  became  a  lawyer.  I 
always  had  a  liking  for  the  profession." 

"Still,"  said  the  broker,  deliberately,  "we  ought 
to  consider  Grant's  explanation  of  the  matter.  He 
says  that  the  bonds  were  intrusted  to  him  for  sale 
by  a  third  party." 

"Of  course  he  would  say  something  like  that," 
returned  Willis,  shrugging  his  shoulders.  "He  can 
hardly  expect  anyone  to  be  taken  in  by  such  a  state- 
ment as  that." 

"You  think,  then,  that  he  had  no  dealings  with 
this  Morrison?" 

"I  don't  say  that,  sir,"  said  Ford,  remembering 
the  story  which  he  and  Morrison  had  agreed  upon. 
It  may  be  stated  here  that  he  had  been  anxious  to 
meet  Morrison  before  meeting  the  coming  appoint- 
ment, in  order  to  ascertain  what  had  passed  be- 
tween him  and  Grant.  With  this  object  in  view, 
he  had  gone  to  the  usual  haunts  of  the  gambler,  but 
had  been  unable  to  catch  sight  of  him.  However, 
as  he  had  seen  him  the  evening  previous,  and 
agreed  upon  the  story  to  be  told,  he  contented  him- 
self with  that. 

"You  think,  then,  that  Morrison  may  have  given 
Grant  the  bonds?"  said  Mr.  Reynolds. 

"No,  sir;  that  is  not  my  idea." 

"Have  you  any  other  notion?" 

"I  think  the  boy  may  have  been  owing  him 
money,  and  took  this  method  of  raising  it." 


144  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"But  how  should  he  owe  him  money?"  asked  the 
broker,  curiously. 

"I  don't  wish  to  say  anything  against  Morrison^ 
but  I  have  been  told  that  he  is  a  gambler.  Grant 
may  have  lost  money  to  him  at  play." 

"Or you,"  thought  the  broker;  but  he  said: 

"Your  suggestion  Is  worth  considering,  but  I 
don't  think  Grant  has  had  any  opportunity  to  lose 
money  in  that  way,  as  he  spends  his  evenings  usually 
at  home." 

"It  wouldn't  take  long  to  lose  a  great  deal  of 
money,  sir." 

"That  explains  It,"  said  the  housekeeper,  speak- 
ing for  the  first  time.  "I  have  no  doubt  Willis  is 
right,  and  the  boy  gambles." 

"I  presume,  Mr.  Ford,"  said  the  broker,  with  a 
peculiar  look,  "that  you  do  not  approve  of  gam- 
bling?" 

"Most  certainly  not,  sir,"  said  Ford,  his  face  ex- 
pressing the  horror  which  a  so-well-conducted 
young  man  must  naturally  feel  for  so  pernicious  a 
habit. 

"I  am  glad  to  hear  It.  Will  you  excuse  me  a 
moment?" 

After  the  broker  had  left  the  room,  Mrs.  Esta- 
brook  turned  to  Willis  and  said:  "You  are  pretty 
sharp,  Willis.  You  have  found  out  this  wretched 
boy,  and  now  I  think  we  shall  get  rid  of  him." 

"I  flatter  myself,  mother,"  said  Willis,  compla- 


HELPING   HIMSELF  145 

cently,  "that  I  have  given  the  old  man  some  new 
ideas  as  to  the  character  of  his  favorite.  I  don't 
think  we  shall  see  him  in  the  office  again." 

As  he  spoke,  his  ears  caught  the  sound  of  ascend- 
ing footsteps  on  the  stairs  without.  He  was  rather 
puzzled.  He  conjectured  that  Grant  had  been 
summoned  to  confront  his  accuser,  but  there  seem- 
ed, from  the  sound,  to  be  more  than  two  approach- 
ing. When  the  door  opened,  and  the  broker  grave- 
ly ushered  in  Jim  Morrison  and  Tom  Calder,  both 
looking  ill  at  ease,  followed  by  Grant  Thornton, 
he  looked  amazed  and  perplexed. 

"I  believe  you  know  these  gentlemen,"  said  Mr. 
Reynolds,  gravely.  "I  have  thought  it  best  to  make 
our  present  investigation  thorough  and  complete." 

"I  have  met  the  gentlemen  before,"  said  Ford, 
uncomfortably. 

"You  also  have  met  them,  Grant,  have  you 
not?" 

"Yes,  sir." 

"Have  you  had  any  business  transaction  with 
either?" 

"Yes,  sir.  Mr.  Morrison  met  me  on  Wall  Street 
and  handed  me  two  bonds,  with  a  request  that  I 
would  sell  them  for  him,  and  hand  him  the  money 
the  next  morning,  at  the  Fifth  Avenue  Hotel." 

"Were  these  the  same  bonds  that  you  sold  to 
Mr.  Ford?" 

"Yes,  sir." 


146  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"I  think  the  boy  is  lying,  sir,"  burst  out  Ford. 

"What  have  you  to  say  to  the  boy's  story,  Mr. 
Morrison?"  asked  the  broker. 

"He's  made  a  little  mistake,"  answered  Jim 
Morrison,  who  by  this  time  was  feeling  more  at  his 
ease.    "I  didn't  give  him  no  bonds." 

Willis  Ford  looked  triumphant,  and  Grant 
amazed. 

"How,  then,  could  there  be  any  business  between 
you?" 

"I  may  as  well  own  up  that  I  am  a  gambler," 
replied  Morrison,  with  virtuous  frankness.  "The 
boy  lost  the  money  to  me  at  play,  and  said  he'd 
meet  and  pay  me  at  the  Fifth  Avenue  Hotel.  I 
didn't  know  where  he  was  goin'  to  get  the  money, 
but  I  expect  he  must  have  stolen  the  bonds,  and  got 
it  that  way." 

Considering  the  damaging  nature  of  the  revela- 
tion, Garnt  showed  considerable  self-command.  He 
did  not  turn  pale,  nor  did  he  look  guilty  and  con- 
science-stricken. 

"What  have  you  to  say  to  this  charge,  Grant?" 
asked  the  broker. 

"It  is  not  true,  sir." 

"What  a  hardened  young  villain !"  said  the 
housekeeper,  in  a  low,  but  audible  voice. 

"Mr.  Reynolds  will  hardly  believe  you,"  said 
Ford,  turning  upon  our  hero  and  speaking  in  a  tone 
of  virtuous  indignation.     "You  see,  sir,"  he  con- 


HELPING   HIMSELF  147 

tinned,  addressing  the  broker,  "that  I  was  right  in 
my  conjecture." 

"I  am  not  quite  satisfied  yet,"  said  Mr.  Rey- 
nolds.   "Grant,  call  the  boy." 

Great  was  the  perplexity  of  Willis  Ford  and  his 
friends  when  Grant  left  the  room,  and  almost  im- 
mediately reappeared  with  a  small  boy  in  blue  uni- 
form.   Not  one  of  them  recognized  him. 

"Have  you  ever  seen  any  of  these  gentlemen  be- 
fore, my  boy?"  asked  the  broker. 

"I've  seed  'em  all,  sir,"  answered  the  boy. 

"State  where  you  saw  them  last." 

"I  seed  him,  and  him,  and  him,"  said  Johnny, 
pointing  out  Willis  Ford,  Jim  Morrison  and  Tom 
Calder,   "at  the  Grand  Central  Hotel  yesterday 


mornm'." 


Ford  started  and  became  very  pale. 

"What  passed  between  them?" 

"He,"  indicating  Ford,  "gave  some  bonds  to 
him,"  indicating  Morrison,  "and  got  back  a  bit  of 
paper.    I  don't  know  what  was  on  it." 

"It  is  false!"  ejaculated  WiUis  Ford,  hoarsely. 


148  HELPING   HIMSELF 


CHAPTER  XXII 

WILLIS  FORD  AT  BAY 

The  telegraph  boy's  evidence  overwhelmed  Wil- 
lis Ford  and  his  confederates  with  dismay.  The 
feeling  was  greater  in  Ford,  for  It  tended  to  fasten 
the  theft  upon  him,  while  Jim  Morrison  and  Tom 
Caldcr,  though  convicted  of  falsehood,  were  at  all 
events  sustained  by  the  consciousness  that  nothing 
worse  could  be  alleged  against  them. 

"It  Is  false!"  asserted  Willis  Ford,  with  a  flush- 
ed face. 

"It  is  true  !"  declared  the  telegraph  boy,  sturdily. 

"I  don't  believe  a  word  of  it,"  said  the  house- 
keeper, angrily. 

"This  is  a  startling  revelation,  Mr.  Ford,"  said 
the  broker,  gravely. 

"It  is  a  base  conspiracy,  sir,"  returned  Ford, 
hoarsely.  "I  submit,  sir,  that  the  word  of  a  boy 
like  that  ought  not  to  weigh  against  mine.  Besides, 
these  gentlemen,"  indicating  Jim  Morrison  and 
Tom  Calder,  "will  corroborate  my  statement." 


HELPING   HIMSELF  149 

"Of  course  we  do,"  blustered  Morrison.  "That 
boy  is  a  liar!" 

"I  have  spoken  the  truth,  sir,  and  they  know  it," 
asserted  Johnny,  resolutely. 

"How  much  did  Grant  Thornton  pay  you  for 
telling  this  lie?"  demanded  Willis  Ford,  furiously. 

"I  will  answer  that  question,  Mr.  Ford,"  said 
Grant,  thinking  it  time  to  speak  for  himself.  "I 
paid  him  nothing,  and  did  not  know  till  last  even- 
ing that  he  had  witnessed  the  interview  between 
you  and  Mr,  Morrison." 

"Your  word  is  of  no  value,"  said  Ford,  scorn- 
fully. 

"That  is  a  matter  for  Mr.  Reynolds  to  con- 
sider," answered  Grant,  with  composure. 

"Mr.  Ford,"  said  the  broker,  gravely,  "I  attach 
.more  importance  to  the  testimony  of  this  telegraph 
boy  than  you  appear  to ;  but  then  it  is  to  be  consid- 
ered that  you  are  an  Interested  party." 

"Am  I  to  be  discredited  on  account  of  what  a 
wretched  telegraph  boy  chooses  to  say?"  asked 
Ford,  bitterly.  "Even  supposing  him  worthy  of 
■credence,  my  two  friends  sustain  me,  and  it  is  three 
against  one." 

"They  are  your  friends,  then?"  asked  Mr.  Rey- 
nolds, significantly. 

Willis  Ford  flushed.  It  was  not  to  his  credit  to 
admit  that  an  acknowledged  gambler  was  his 
friend,  yet  he  knew  that  to  deny  It  would  make 


150  HELPING   HIMSELF 

Morrison  angry,  and  perhaps  lead  him  to  make 
some  awkward  revelations. 

"I  have  not  known  them  long,  sir,"  he  answered, 
embarrassed,  "but  I  believe  they  feel  friendly  to 
me.  One  of  them,"  he  added,  maliciously,  "is  an 
old  friend  of  Grant  Thornton." 

"Yes,"  answered  Grant,  by  no  means  discon- 
certed. "Tom  Colder  is  from  the  same  town  as 
myself,  and  I  wish  him  well." 

Tom  looked  pleased  at  this  friendly  declaration 
on  the  part  of  Grant,  whom,  indeed,  he  personally 
liked  better  than  Willis  Ford,  who  evidently  looked 
down  upon  him,  and  had  more  than  once  snubbed 
him. 

"You  see,"  said  Ford,  adroitly,  "that  Grant 
Thornton's  old  friend  testifies  against  him.  I  don't 
think  I  need  say  any  more  except  to  deny,  in  toio, 
the  statement  of  that  low  telegraph  boy." 

"I'm  no  lower  than  you  are,"  retorted  Johnny, 
angrily. 

"None  of  your  impertinence,  boy!"  said  Ford, 
loftily. 

"I  must  say,"  interposed  the  housekeeper,  "that 
this  seems  a  very  discreditable  conspiracy  against 
my  stepson.  I  am  sure,  Mr.  Reynolds,  you  won't 
allow  his  reputation  to  be  injured  by  such  a  base 
attack." 

"Mr.  Ford,"  said  the  broker,  "I  have  listened 
attentively  to  what  you  have  said.     I  ought  to  say 


HELPING  HIMSELF  151 

that  a  telegraph  boy  has  as  much  right  to  be  be- 
lieved as  yourself." 

"Even  when  there  are  three  against  him?" 

"The  three  are  interested  parties." 

"I  have  no  doubt  he  is  also.  I  presume  he  has 
an  understanding  with  Grant  Thornton,  who  is  a 
suspected  thief." 

"I  deny  that,  Mr.  Ford,"  exclaimed  Grant,  in- 
dignantly. 

"You  are  certainly  suspected  of  stealing  my  step- 
mother's bonds." 

"And  I  have  no  doubt  you  took  them,"  declared 
the  housekeeper,  venomously. 

At  this  time  the  doorbell  was  heard  to  ring. 

"Excuse  me  for  a  moment,"  said  the  broker.  "I 
will  be  back  directly." 

When  he  had  left  the  room,  the  parties  left  be- 
hind looked  at  each  other  uncomfortably.  Willis 
Ford,  however,  was  too  angry  to  keep  silence. 

He  turned  to  Grant,  and  made  an  attack  upon 
him. 

"You  won't  accomplish  anything,  you  young  ras- 
cal, by  your  plotting  and  contriving!  I  give  you 
credit  for  a  good  deal  of  cunning  in  bringing  this 
boy  to  give  the  testimony  he  has;  but  it  won't  do 
you  any  good.  Mr.  Reynolds  Isn't  a  fool,  and  he 
will  see  through  your  design." 

"That  he  will,  Willis,"  said  the  housekeeper. 
"After  all  the  kindness  that  boy  has  received  in  this 


152  HELPING   HIMSELF 

house,  he  might  be  better  employed  than  In  stealing 
my  bonds,  and  then  trying  to  throw  it  upon  a  man 
like  you." 

"I  don't  care  to  argue  with  you,  Mr.  Ford,"  said 
Grant,  quietly.  "You  know  as  well  as  I  do  that  I 
didn't  steal  the  bonds,  and  you  know,"  he  added, 
significantly,  "who  did." 

"I  have  a  great  mind  to  break  your  head,  you 
impudent  boy!" 

"That  would  be  a  very  poor  argument.  The 
truth  has  already  come  out,  and  I  am  vindicated." 

"I  don't  know  whether  you  expect  Mr.  Reynolds 
to  shield  you  or  not,  but,  if  my  mother  takes  my 
advice,  she  will  have  you  arrested,  whatever  hap- 
pens." 

"I  Intend  to,"  said  the  housekeeper,  nodding 
spitefully.  "If  you  had  returned  the  bonds,  I  did 
not  mean  to  let  the  matter  drop,  but  since  you  have 
tried  to  throw  suspicion  on  my  son,  who  has  always 
been  devoted  to  me,  I  mean  to  punish  you  as  severe- 
ly as  the  law  allows." 

"I  think  you  will  change  your  mind,  Mrs.  Esta- 
brook,  and  let  the  thief  go  unpunished,"  said 
Grant,  in  no  ways  disturbed. 

"Not  unless  you  make  a  full  confession;  and  even 
then  I  think  you  ought  to  suffer  for  your  base  wick- 
edness." 

"You  are  making  a  mistake,  Mrs.  Estabrook.  I 
referred  to  the  thief." 


HELPING  HIMSELF  153 

*'That  Is  yourself." 

Grant  shrugged  his  shoulders.  He  was  spared 
the  necessity  of  answering  the  attack,  for  just  then 
the  door  opened,  and  Mr.  Reynolds  re-entered. 

He  did  not  enter  alone,  however. 

A  small  man  of  quiet  manner,  attired  In  a  sober 
suit  of  brown,  closely  followed  him. 

All  present  looked  at  him  in  surprise.  Who  was 
this  man,  and  what  had  he  to  do  with  the  matter 
that  concerned  them  all  ? 

They  were  not  destined  to  remain  long  In  doubt. 

"Mr.  Graham,  gentlemen!"  said  the  broker, 
with  a  wave  of  the  hand. 

The  detective  bowed  courteously. 

"Mr.  Graham,  permit  me  to  ask,"  continued  the 
broker,  "If  you  have  seen  any  of  these  gentlemen 
before?" 

"Yes,"  answered  Graham,  and  he  Indicated 
Grant  Thornton,  Jim  Morrison  and  Tom  Calder. 

"When  did  you  see  them,  and  where?" 

"At  the  Fifth  Avenue  Hotel  this  morning." 

"What  passed  between  them?" 

"They  were  talking  about  some  bonds,  which 
that  gentleman,"  Indicating  Morrison,  "acknowl- 
edged giving  to  the  boy  to  sell.  He  asked  for  the 
proceeds,  but  tlie  boy  told  him  there  was  something 
wrong  about  the  bonds,  and  his  employer  wouldn't 
allow  him  to  pass  over  the  money.  Upon  this, 
Morrison,  as  I  understand  him  to  be  called,  said 


154  HELPING   HIMSELF 

they  were  given  him  by  a  party  that  owed  him 
money,  and  threatened  that,  if  he  had  played  a 
trick  upon  him,  it  would  be  the  worse  for  him." 

"Who  is  that  man,  Mr.  Reynolds?"  asked  Ford, 
in  nervous  excitement. 

"One  of  the  best  known  detectives  in  the  city," 
quietly  answered  the  broker.  "What  have  you  to 
say  to  his  evidence?" 

"That  it  doesn't  concern  me.  I  may  be  wrong 
about  the  boy  taking  the  bonds,  but  that  doesn't 
Involve  me.    There  may  have  been  another  party." 

"You  forget  the  testimony  of  the  telegraph  boy 
^ — that  he  saw  you  give  the  bonds  to  your  friend 
there." 

"The  boy  told  a  falsehood  1" 

"I  am  in  a  position  to  confirm  the  boy's  testi- 
mony," said  the  detective. 

Willis  Ford  gasped  for  breath  and  seemed  ready 
to  sink  into  the  floor.   What  was  coming  next  ? 


HELPING  HIMSELF  155 


CHAPTER  XXIII 

JUSTICE  TRIUMPHS 

Mr.  Graham  turned  to  the  broker  and  ad- 
dressed further  remarks  to  him. 

"Your  statement  that  four  hundred  dollars  re- 
mained to  be  accounted  for,  led  me  to  conclude  that 
they  would  be  found  In  the  possession  of  the  party 
who  had  abstracted  the  others.  I  therefore  obtain- 
ed a  search  warrant  and  visited  the  room  occupied 
by  that  gentleman,  whose  name  I  believe  Is  WUIis 
Ford." 

This  was  an  unexpected  stroke.  Ford  did  not 
speak,  but  kept  his  eyes  fixed  upon  the  detective  in 
evident  panic. 

*'I  have  just  come  from  Mr.  Ford's  room,"  he 
resumed.    "These  are  what  I  found  there." 

He  drew  from  his  pocket  a  long  envelope,  from 
which  he  took  four  government  bonds. 

"Will  you  be  kind  enough,  Mrs.  Estabrook," 
said  the  broker,  gravely,  "to  examine  these  bonds 
and  determine  whether  they  arc  yeurs?" 


156  HELPING   HIMSELF 

The  housekeeper  took  them  mechanically  and 
examined  them. 

"They  are  mine,"  she  said;  "but  I  cannot  believe 
Willis  took  them." 

"I  did  not,"  said  Ford,  hoarsely,  but  his  eyes 
were  downcast. 

"Will  you  account  for  their  being  in  your  room, 
then,  Mr.  Ford?"  inquired  the  broker,  sternly. 

"That  boy  must  have  put  them  there.  I  know 
nothing  of  themx.  I — am  as  much  surprised  as  you 
are." 

"We  have  had  enough  of  this,  Mr.  Ford,"  said 
the  broker,  coldly.  "Your  guilt  is  evident.  In  rob- 
bing your  stepmother  you  have  committed  a  serious 
crime ;  but  in  attempting  to  throw  the  guilt  upon  an 
innocent  boy,  you  have  been  guilty  of  an  offense 
still  more  detestable,  and  one  which  I  cannot  for- 
give. You  cannot  remain  in  my  employment  an- 
other day.  If  you  will  call  at  the  office  in  the  morn- 
ing, I  will  pay  your  salary  to  the  end  of  the  month. 
That  will  end  all  relations  between  us." 

Willis  Ford  looked  like  a  convicted  criminal. 
For  the  moment  all  his  hardihood  and  bravado  de- 
serted him. 

"Can  this  be  true,  Willis?"  wailed  his  step- 
mother. "Is  It  possible  that  you  took  my  bonds, 
and  would  have  left  me  to  an  old  age  of  poverty?" 

"No,"  answered  Ford,  with  a  return  of  his  usual 
assurance.    "I  am  as  innocent  as  a  babe  unborn.    I 


HELPING   HIMSELF  157 

am  the  victim  of  a  conspiracy.  As  Mr.  Reynolds  is 
determined  to  shield  his  favorite  by  throwing  the 
blame  on  it,  I  must  submit.  The  time  will  come 
when  he  will  acknowledge  my  Innocence.  Mother, 
I  will  satisfy  you  later,  but  I  do  not  believe  you  will 
think  me  guilty.  Gentlemen,  I  bid  you  all  good- 
evening." 

No  one  spoke  as  he  withdrew  from  the  room, 
and  not  even  Morrison  offered  to  follow  him. 

When  he  was  fairly  out  of  the  room,  the  broker 
turned  to  Morrison. 

"Mr.  Morrison,"  he  said,  "I  have  a  question  or 
two  to  put  to  you.  I  think  you  will  find  It  to  your 
Interest  to  answer  correctly.  Do  you  still  maintain 
that  these  bonds  were  given  you  by  Grant  Thorn- 
ton?" 

"I  may  as  well  make  a  clean  breast  of  It,"  said 
Morrison.    "They  were  given  me  by  Willis  Ford." 

'To    atisfy  I  ^ambling  debt,  svas  it  not?" 

"Yes,  sir." 

"I  take  It  for  granted  you  did  not  know  they 
were  stolen?" 

"If  I  had  known  It  I  wouldn't  have  touched 
them.  I  might  have  been  suspected  of  stealing 
them  myself." 

"I  believe  you." 

"You're  a  gentleman,"  said  Morrison,  gratified 
that  his  word  was  accepted. 

"Of  course  you  have  lost  the  amount  which  you 


158  HELPING   HIMSELF 

consider  due  you.  To  be  entirely  candid  with  you, 
I  do  not  feel  any  sympathy  with  you.  Money  won 
at  play  must  be  classed  among  ill-gotten  gains.  I 
hope  you  will  realize  this,  and  give  up  a  discredita- 
ble profession." 

"I  have  no  doubt  your  advice  is  good,  sir.  Do 
you  want  me  and  Tom  any  longer?" 

"You  are  at  liberty  to  go.  I  am  indebted  to  you 
for  coming.  You  have  helped  to  clear  up  the  mys- 
tery of  the  theft." 

"He's  a  little  hard  on  us,  Tom,"  said  Morrison, 
as  they  went  down  the  front  steps,  "but  he's  treated 
us  like  a  gentleman.    That  Ford  is  a  rascal." 

"I  think  so,  too,"  Tom  assented. 

"And  I  shall  never  see  a  cent  of  that  six  hundred 
dollars,"  continued  Jim  Morrison,  ruefully. 

"If  you'll  excuse  me,  I'll  go  to  my  own  room," 
said  Mrs.  Estabrook,  pertly.  "I  want  to  think 
quietly  of  all  this." 

"Go,  by  all  means,"  said  the  broker,  courteously. 
"To-morrow  morning  your  property  shall  be  re- 
stored to  you." 

Next  the  detective  and  the  telegraph  boy  with- 
drew, the  latter  rich  by  a  five-dollar  note,  which 
Mr.  Reynolds  presented  him.     ' 

Johnny's  eyes  sparkled. 

"That  will  make  mother  happy,"  he  said. 
"She'll  think  I  am  in  luck." 

"Keep  your  eyes  open,  my  boy,  and  be  faithful 


HELPING   HIMSELF  159 

to  your  employer,  and  this  won't  be  the  last  piece 
of  luck  that  will  come  your  way." 

When  they  were  alone  Mr.  Reynolds  turned  to 
Grant  and  said  kindly,  "I  congratulate  you,  Grant, 
on  your  complete  vindication.  Those  who  have 
wickedly  conspired  against  you  have  come  to  grief, 
and  you  come  out  of  the  trial  unscathed.  As  I 
am  to  part  with  Willis  Ford,  though  you  are  not 
competent  to  take  his  place,  your  duties  will  be 
somewhat  enlarged,  and  I  will  take  care  that  your 
compensation  shall  be  increased." 

"I  am  afraid,  Mr.  Reynolds,  I  already  receive 
more  than  I  earn." 

"That  may  be,  but  I  am  only  anticipating  a  little. 
How  much  do  I  pay  you  now  ?" 

"Six  dollars  a  week,  sir." 

"I  will  allow  you  four  dollars  more,  but  this 
additional  sum  I  will  keep  in  my  own  hands,  and 
credit  you  with.  It  is  time  you  were  saving  some- 
thing for  future  use.  Will  this  be  satisfactory  to 
you?" 

"You  are  very  kind,  Mr.  Reynolds,"  said  Grant. 
"I  don't  know  hov/  to  thank  you." 

"Then  I  will  tell  you — be  faithful  in  your  du- 
ties in  the  office  and  continue  your  kindness  to 
Herbert." 

"Gladly,  sir." 

Grant  decided  not  to  write  to  his  mother  about 
his  increase  in  salary.     He  preferred  to  wait  till 


i6o  HELPING   HIMSELF 

his  savings  amounted  to  a  considerable  sum,  and 
then  surprise  her  by  the  announcement  of  his  good 
fortune.  In  six  months,  he  estimated,  he  would 
have  more  than  a  hundred  dollars,  and  this  to  the 
country  minister's  son  seemed  a  large  sum.  At 
any  rate,  when  he  was  twenty-one  he  might  hope 
to  be  the  possessor  of  a  thousand  dollars.  This 
opened  to  Grant  a  brilliant  prospect.  It  was  prob- 
ably all  his  father  was  worth,  including  all  his 
possessions. 

"In  spite  of  my  uncle's  opposition,"  thought 
Grant,  "I  think  I  acted  wisely  in  preferring  busi- 
ness to  college.  Now  I  shall  be  able  to  make  the 
family  more  comfortable." 

When  Willis  Ford  called  at  the  office  the  next 
morning  Grant  was  gone  to  the  post  office.  As 
he  returned  he  met  Ford  coming  out  with  a  check 
In  his  hand. 

"So  it's  you,  is  it?"  sneered  Ford,  stopping  short. 

"Yes,  Mr.  Ford." 

"I  suppose  you  are  exulting  over  your  victory?" 

"You  are  mistaken,"  said  Grant.  "It  was  not 
my  wish  that  anything  unpleasant  should  happen." 

"I  suppose  not,"  said  Ford,  in  an  unpleasant  tone. 

"For  some  reason  you  have  shown  a  dislike  to 
me  from  the  first,"  Grant  proceeded.  "I  don't 
know  why.  I  have  always  treated  you  with  re- 
spect and  tried  to  do  my  duty  faithfully." 

"You  are  a  little  angel,  to  be  sure." 


HELPING   HIMSELF  i6i 

"Have  you  any  objection  to  telling  me  why  you 
dislike  me?"  he  asked. 

"Yes,  I'll  tell  you.  It  is  because  I  see  how  you 
are  trying  to  worm  yourself  Into  the  confidence 
of  Mr.  Reynolds.  You  have  plotted  against  me, 
and  now,  thanks  to  you,  I  have  lost  my  place." 

"I  don't  consider  myself  the  cause  of  that,  Mr. 
Ford." 

"I  do.  But  you  needn't  exult  too  much.  I  gen- 
erally pay  my  debts,  and  I  shan't  forget  what  I 
owe  you.    I  will  be  even  with  you  some  day." 

So  saying,  he  walked  off,  and  Grant  returned  to 
his  work. 

"I  can't  understand  why  Mr.  Ford  should  hate 
me  so,"  he  thought. 


1 62  HELPING   HIMSELF. 

Thomas  hopne 

CHAPTER    XXIV 

STARTLING  NEWS 

Willis  Ford's  feelings  were  far  from  enviable 
when  he  took  leave  of  the  office  in  which  he  had 
long  enjoyed  an  excellent  position.  He  was  con- 
scious, though  scarcely  willing  to  admit  it,  that  his 
misfortunes  had  been  brought  upon  him  by  his  own 
umvise,  not  to  say  criminal,  course.  None  the  less, 
however,  was  he  angry  with  those  whom  he  had 
connected  with  the  disaster  that  had  come  upon 
him.  He  had  always  disliked  Grant  Thornton. 
Now  he  hated  him,  and  thirsted  for  an  opportun- 
ity to  do  him  mischief.  Next  he  felt  embittered 
against  Mr.  Reynolds,  who  had  discharged  him, 
though  it  is  hardly  possible  to  see  how  the  broker 
could  have  done  otherwise.  This  dislike  was  in- 
creased within  a  few  days,  and  for  this  reason. 

Ford  addressed  a  letter  to  Mr.  Reynolds,  request- 
ing a  certificate  of  good  character,  which  would 
enable  him  to  procure  a  new  situation. 

To  this  request  the  broker  answered  substan- 
tially as  follows : 


HELPING   HIMSELF  163 

"I  shall  be  glad  to  hear  that  you  have  changed 
your  course,  and  have  decided  to  lead  an  honest 
lift;  but,  for  the  same  reason  that  I  am  not  willing 
to  retain  you  in  my  employment,  I  am  unwilling 
to  recommend  you  without  reserve  to  another 
business  man.  If  you  are  willing  to  refer  him  to 
me,  on  condition  that  I  tell  the  truth,  I  will  cheer- 
fully testify  that  you  have  discharged  your  office 
duties  to  my  satisfaction." 

"The  old  fool!"  muttered  Ford,  angrily  crush- 
ing the  letter  in  his  hand.  "What  use  would  such 
a  recommendation  be  to  me?  Not  content  with 
discharging  me,  he  wants  to  keep  me  out  of  em- 
ployment." 

In  truth,  Willis  Ford  hardly  knew  where  to  turn. 
He  had  saved  no  money,  and  was  earning  nothing. 
In  his  dilemma  he  turned  to  his  stepmother. 

One  forenoon,  after  he  knew  the  broker  and 
Grant  would  be  out  of  the  way,  he  rang  the  bell, 
and  inquired  for  the  housekeeper. 

Mrs.  Estabrook  was  agitated  when  she  saw  her 
step-son.  She  did  not  like  to  believe  that  he  had 
robbed  her,  but  it  was  hard  to  believe  otherwise. 

"Oh,  Willis!"  she  said  almost  bursting  into 
tears,  "how  could  you  take  my  small  savings?  I 
would  not  have  believed  you  capable  of  it!" 

"You  don't  mean  to  say,  mother,"  returned 
Willis,  with  well-dissembled  and  reproachful  sor- 
row, "that  you  believe  this  monstrous  slander?" 


1 64  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"I  don't  want  to  believe  it,  Willis,  heaven  knows. 
But  were  not  the  bonds  found  in  your  room?" 

"I  admit  it,"  said  Ford;  "but  how  did  they  get 
there?" 

"Did  you  not  put  them  there?" 

"Certainly  not,  mother.  I  thought  you  knew 
me  better  than  that." 

"But  who,  then "  began  his  step-mother, 

looking  bewildered. 

"Who  should  it  be  but  that  boy?" 

"Grant  Thornton?" 

"Yes." 

"Have  you  any  proof  of  this?"  asked  the  house- 
keeper, eagerly. 

"I  will  tell  you  what  I  have  found  out.  I  learn 
that  a  boy  called,  on  the  day  in  question,  at  my 
room  and  asked  to  see  me.  Being  told  that  I  was 
out,  he  asked  leave  to  go  up  and  wait  for  me.  As 
the  servant  had  no  suspicion,  he  was  allowed  to  go 
up.  I  don't  know  how  long  he  stayed;  but  no  doubt 
he  had  the  bonds  with  him  and  concealed  them 
where  they  were  found." 

"Did  you  ask  for  a  description  of  the  boy?  Was 
it  like  Grant?"  asked  the  housekeeper,  quickly. 

"Unfortunately,  the  girl  did  not  take  particular 
notice  of  him.  I  have  no  doubt  that  it  was  either 
Grant  or  the  telegraph  boy,  who  seems  to  have 
been  in  the  plot." 

Now,  this  story  was  an  audacious  fiction,  and 


HELPING   HIMSELF  165 

should  not  have  Imposed  upon  a  person  of  ordinary 
Intelligence;  but  the  housekeeper  was  anxious  to 
believe  her  step-son  Innocent  and  Grant  guilty.  She 
therefore  accepted  it  without  question,  and  was 
loud  in  her  denunciation  of  that  "artful  young 
rascal." 

"You  ought  to  tell  Mr.  Reynolds  of  this, 
Willis,"  she  said. 

"It  would  be  of  no  use,  mother.  He  is  too 
strongly  prejudiced  against  me.  What  do  you 
think?  He  has  refused  me  a  letter  of  recommenda- 
tion. What  does  he  care  if  I  starve?"  concluded 
Willis,  bitterly. 

"But  I  care,  Willis.  I  will  not  desert  you,"  said 
Mrs.  Estabrook,  in  a  tone  of  sympathy. 

This  was  just  the  mood  in  which  Ford  desired 
his  step-mother  to  be.  He  was  desirous  of  effect- 
ing a  loan,  and  after  a  time  succeeded  In  having 
transferred  to  him  two  of  the  one-hundred-dollar 
bonds.  He  tried  hard  to  obtain  the  five  hundred, 
but  Mrs.  Estabrook  was  too  prudent  and  too  much 
attached  to  her  savings  to  consent  to  this.  Ford 
had  to  be  satisfied  with  considerably  less. 

"Ought  I  to  stay  with  Mr.  Reynolds  after  he 
has  treated  you  in  this  way,  WIlHs?"  asked  his 
step-mother,  anxiously. 

"By  all  means,  mother.  You  don't  want  to  throw 
away  a  good  position." 

"But  It  will  be  hard  to  see  that  boy  high  In  Mr. 


1 66  HELPING   HLMSELF 

Reynolds'  confidence,  after  all  his  wickedness." 

"You  must  dissemble,  mother.  Treat  him 
fairly,  and  watch  your  opportunity  to  harm  him 
and  serve  me.  Don't  say  much  about  me,  for  it 
would  do  no  good;  but  keep  your  hold  on 
Reynolds." 

"If  you  think  it  best,  Willis,"  said  his  step- 
mother, not  without  a  feeling  of  relief,  for  she  was 
reluctant  to  relinquish  a  good  home  and  liberal 
salary,  "I  will  remain." 

"Do  so  by  all  means.  We  may  as  well  make  all 
we  can  out  of  the  enemy,  for  Mr.  Reynolds  has 
treated  me  very  shabbily.  And  now  I  must  bid 
you  good-by." 

"What  are  your  plans,  Willis?" 

"I  can't  tell  you,  but  I  think  I  shall  go  West." 

"And  I  shall  never  see  you !" 

"You  will  hear  from  me,  and  I  hope  I  shall  have 
good  news  to  write." 

Willis  Ford  left  the  house,  and,  going  to  the 
Grand  Central  Depot,  bought  a  ticket  for 
Chicago. 

Now  came  quite  a  pleasant  period  after  the 
trouble  and  excitement.  Grant  found  his  duties  at 
the  office  increased,  and  it  was  pleasant  to  see  that 
his  employer  reposed  confidence  in  him.  His  re- 
lations  with  others  in  the  office  were  pleasant,  now 
that  Willis  Ford  was  away,  and  every  day  he 
seemed  to  get  new  insight  into  the  details  of  the 


HELPING   HIMSELF  167 

business.  Whether  Jim  Morrison  and  Tom  Calder 
were  in.  the  city,  he  did  not  know.  At  all  events, 
they  were  never  seen  in  the  neighborhood  of  Wall 
Street.  Grant  was  not  sorry  to  have  them  pass  out 
of  his  life,  for  he  did  not  consider  that  he  was  likely 
to  draw  any  benefit  from  their  presence  and  com- 
panionship. 

He  was  still  a  member  of  Mr.  Reynolds'  house- 
hold. Herbert  appeared  to  be  as  much  attached 
to  him  as  if  he  were  an  older  brother,  and  the 
broker  looked  with  pleasure  upon  the  new  happi- 
ness that  beamed  from  the  face  of  his  son. 

As  to  Mrs.  Estabrook,  Grant  had  feared  that 
she  would  continue  to  show  animosity  toward  him, 
but  he  had  nothing  to  complain  of.  She  certainly 
did  not  show  any  cordiality  in  her  necessary  inter- 
course with  him;  but  then,  on  the  other  hand,  she 
did  not  manifest  any  desire  to  injure  him.  This 
was  all  Grant  desired.  He  felt  that  under  no  cir- 
cumstances could  he  have  made  a  friend  of  the 
housekeeper.  He  was  content  to  have  her  leave 
him  alone. 

After  the  lapse  of  six  months  Grant  expressed 
a  desire  to  go  home  to  pass  a  day  or  two.  His 
mother's  birthday  was  close  at  hand,  and  he  had 
bought  for  her  a  present  which  he  knew  would  be 
acceptable.  Permission  was  readily  accorded,  and 
Grant  passed  four  happy  days  at  home.  His  par- 
ents were  pleased  that  he  was  so  highly  regarded 


1 68  HELPING   HIMSELF 

by  his  employer,  and  had  come  to  think  that 
Grant's  choice  had  been  a  wise  one. 

When  Grant  returned  he  went  at  once  to  the 
office.    He  found  it  a  scene  of  excitement, 

"What  has  happened?"  he  asked,  eagerly. 

"Herbert  Reynolds  has  disappeared,  and  his 
father  is  almost  beside  himself  with  grief!"  was 
the  startling  reply. 


HELPING  HIMSELF  169 


CHAPTER    XXV 

ANXIOUS  INQUIRIES 

After  a  while  Grant  learned  the  particulars 
about  Herbert's  disappearance.  He  had  gone  out 
to  play  In  the  street  about  three  o'clock  In  the  after- 
noon. Generally  he  waited  for  Grant  to  return 
home,  but  during  his  absence  he  had  found  other 
companions.  When  his  father  returned  home,  he 
inquired  of  the  housekeeper:  "Where  is  Herbert?" 

"He  went  out  to  play,"  said  Mrs.  Estabrook,, 
Indifferently. 

"In  the  street?" 

"I  believe  so." 

"He  ought  to  be  In  by  this  time." 

"Probably  he  went  to  walk  with  some  of  his 
companions.  As  he  had  no  watch,  he  might  not 
know  that  It  Is  so  late." 

This  seemed  very  plausible  to  Mr.  Reynolds. 

"Yes,"  he  said;  "Herbert  seems  lost  without 
Grant.    He  will  be  glad  to  see  him  back." 

To  this  Mrs.  Estabrook  did  not  reply.  She  had 
learned,  to  her  cost,  that  It  would  not  be  politic 


1 70  HELPING   HIMSELF 

to  speak  against  Grant,  and  she  was  not  disposed 
to  praise  him.     She  seldom  mentioned  him  at  all. 

The  dinner  bell  rang,  and  still  Herbert  had  not 
returned.     His  father  began  to  feel  anxious. 

"It  Is  strange  that  Herbert  remains  so  long 
away,"  he  said. 

"I  shouldn't  wonder  If  he  had  gone  to  Central 
Park  on  some  excursion,"  returned  the  housekeeper 
calmly. 

"You  think  there  Is  nothing  wrong?"  asked  the 
broker,  anxiously. 

"How  could  there  be  here,  sir?"  answered  Mrs. 
Estabrook,  with  unruffled  demeanor. 

This  answer  helped  to  calm  Mr.  Reynolds,  who 
ordered  dinner  delayed  half  an  hour. 

When,  however,  an  hour — two  hours — passed, 
and  the  little  boy  still  remained  absent,  the  father's 
anxiety  became  insupportable.  He  merely  tristed 
a  few  spoonfuls  of  soup,  and  found  it  impossible 
to  eat  more.  The  housekeeper,  on  the  contrary, 
seemxcd  quite  unconcerned,  and  showed  her  usual 
appetite. 

"I  am  seriously  anxious,  Mrs.  Estabrook,"  said 
the  broker.  "I  will  take  my  hat  and  go  out  to  see 
if  I  can  gain  any  Information.  Should  Herbert 
return  while  I  am  away,  give  him  his  supper,  and, 
if  he  Is  tired,  let  him  go  to  bed,  just  finding  out 
why  he  was  out  so  late." 

"Very  well,  sir." 


HELPING   HIMSELF  171 

When  Mr.  Reynolds  had  left  the  house  a  singu- 
lar expression  of  gratified  malice  swept  over  the 
housekeeper's  face.  "It  is  just  retribution,"  she 
murmured.  "He  condemned  and  discharged  my 
stepson  for  the  sin  of  another.  Now  it  is  his  own 
heart  that  bleeds." 

Only  a  few  steps  from  his  own  door  the  broker 
met  a  boy  about  two  years  older  than  Herbert,  with 
whom  the  latter  sometimes  played. 

"Harvey,"  he  said,  "have  you  seen  Herbert  this 
afternoon?" 

"Yes,  sir;  I  saw  him  about  three  o'clock." 

"Where?"  asked  the  broker,  anxiously. 

"Just  'round  the  corner  of  the  block,"  answered 
Flarvey  Morrison. 

"Was  he  alone?" 

"No;  there  was  a  young  man  with  him — about 
twenty,  I  should  think." 

"A  young  man !  Was  it  one  you  had  ever  saw 
before?" 

"No,  sir." 

"What  was  his  appearance?" 

Harvey  described  Herbert's  companion  as  well 
as  he  could,  but  the  anxious  father  did  not  recog- 
nize the  description. 

"Did  you  speak  to  Herbert?  Did  you  ask  where 
he  was  going?" 

"Yes,  sir.  He  told  me  that  you  had  sent  for 
him  to  go  on  an  excursion." 


172  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"Did  he  say  that?"  asked  the  father,  startled. 

"Yes,  sir.'"' 

"Then  there  is  some  mischief  afoot.  I  never 
sent  for  him,"  said  the  agitated  father. 

Mr.  Reynolds  requested  Harvey  to  accompany 
him  to  the  nearest  police  station,  and  relate  all 
that  he  knew  to  the  officer  in  charge,  that  the  po- 
lice might  be  put  on  the  track.  He  asked  himself 
in  vain  what  object  any  one  could  have  in  spirit- 
ing away  the  boy,  but  no  probable  explanation  oc- 
curred to  him. 

On  his  return  to  the  house  he  communicated  to 
the  housekeeper  what  he  had  learned. 

"What  do  you  think  of  it?"  he  asked. 

"It  may  be  only  a  practical  joke,"  answered  the 
housekeeper  calmly. 

"Heaven  grant  it  may  be  nothing  more!  But 
I  fear  it  is  something  far  more  serious." 

"I  dare  say  it's  only  a  boy's  lark,  Mr.  Reynolds." 

"But  you  forget — it  was  a  young  man  who  was 
seen  in  his  company." 

"I  really  don't  know  what  to  think  of  it,  then. 
I  don't  believe  the  boy  will  come  to  any  harm." 

Little  sleep  visited  the  broker's  pillow  that  night, 
but  the  housekeeper  looked  fresh  and  cheerful  in 
the  morning. 

"Has  the  woman  no  feeling?"  thought  the  anx- 
ious father,  as  he  watched  the  tranquil  countenance 


HELPING   HIMSELF  173 

of  the  woman  who  for  five  years  had  been,  in  charge 
of  his  house. 

When  she  was  left  alone  in  the  house  Mrs.  Esta- 
brook  took  from  her  workbasket  a  letter,  bearing 
date  a  month  previous,  and  read  slowly  the  fol- 
lowing paragraph:  "I  have  never  forgotten  the 
wrong  done  me  by  Mr.  Reynolds.  He  discharged 
me  summarily  from  his  employment  and  declined 
to  give  me  a  recommendation  which  would  secure 
me  a  place  elsewhere.  I  swore  at  the  time  that 
I  would  get  even  with  him,  and  I  have  never 
changed  my  resolution.  I  shall  not  tell  you  what 
I  propose  to  do.  It  is  better  that  you  should  not 
know.  But  some  day  you  will  hear  something  that 
will  surprise  you.  When  that  time  comes,  if  you 
suspect  anything,  say  nothing.  Let  matters  take 
their  course." 

The  letter  was  signed  by  Willis  Ford. 


174  HELPING  HIMSELF 


CHAPTER    XXVI. 

a  western  cabin 

"Abner!" 

The  speaker  was  a  tall,  gaunt  woman,  in  a  loose, 
faded,  calico  dress,  and  she  stood  at  the  door  of  a 
cabin  in  a  Western  clearing. 

"What  yer  want?"  came  as  a  reply  from  a  tall, 
unhealthy-looking  boy  in  overalls,  who  was  sitting 
on  a  log  in  the  yard. 

"I  want  you  to  split  some  wood  for  the  stove." 

"I'm  tired,"  drawled  the  boy. 

"I'll  tire  you  !"  said  the  mother,  sharply.  "You 
tall,  lazy,  good-for-nothing  drone  !  Here  I've  been 
up  since  five  o'clock,  slavin'  for  you  and  your 
drunken  father.     Where's  he  gone?" 

"To  the  village,  I  reckon." 

"To  the  tavern,  I  reckon.  It's  there  that  he 
spends  all  the  money  he  gets  hold  of;  he  never 
gives  me  a  cent.  This  is  the  only  gown  I've  got, 
except  an  old  alpaca.     Much  he  cares !" 

"It  isn't  my  fault,  is  it?"  asked  the  boy.  Indif- 
ferently. 


HELPING  HIMSELF  175 

"You're  a-follerin'  in  his  steps.  You'll  be  just 
another  Joel  Barton — just  as  shif'less  and  lazy. 
Just  split  me  some  wood  before  I  get  hold  of  yer !" 

Abner  rose  slowly,  went  to  the  shed  for  an  ax, 
and  in  the  most  deliberate  manner  possible  began 
to  obey  his  mother's  commands. 

The  cabin  occupied  by  Abner  and  his  parents 
was  far  from  being  a  palace.  It  contained  four 
rooms,  but  the  furniture  was  of  the  most  primitive 
description.  Joel  Barton,  the  nominal  head  of  the 
famliy,  was  the  possessor  of  eighty  acres  of  land, 
from  which  he  might  have  obtained  a  comfortable 
living,  for  the  soil  was  productive ;  but  he  was  lazy, 
shiftless  and  intemperate,  as  his  wife  had  described 
him.  Had  he  been  as  active  and  energetic  as  she 
was,  he  might  have  been  in  very  different  circum- 
stnaces.  It  is  no  wonder  that  the  poor  woman  was 
fretted  and  irritated  almost  beyond  endurance,  see- 
ing how  all  her  industry  was  neutralized  by  her 
husband's  habits.  Abner  took  after  his  father, 
though  he  had  not  yet  developed  a  taste  for  drink, 
and  was  perfectly  contented  with  their  poor  way 
of  living,  as  long  as  he  was  not  compelled  to  work 
hard.  What  little  was  required  of  him  he  would 
shirk  if  he  possibly  could. 

This  cabin  was  situated  about  a  mile  from  the 
little  village  which  had  gathered  round  the  depot. 
The  name  of  the  tov/nship  was  Scipio,  though  it 
is  doubtful  if  one  in  fifty  of  the  inhabitants  knev/ 


176  HELPING   HIMSELF 

after  whom  it  was  named.  In  fact,  the  name  was 
given  by  a  schoolmaster,  who  had  acquired  some 
rudiments  of  classical  learning  at  a  country- 
academy. 

To  the  depot  we  must  transport  the  reader,  on 
the  arrival  of  the  morning  train  from  Chicago. 
But  two  passengers  got  out.  One  of  them  was  a 
young  man  under  twenty.  The  other  was  a  boy, 
apparently  about  ten  years  of  age,  whom  he  held 
firmly  by  the  hand. 

He  was  a  delicate-looking  boy,  and,  though  he 
was  dressed  in  a  coarse,  ill-fitting  suit,  he  had  an 
appearance  of  refinement  and  gentle  nature,  as  if 
he  had  been  brought  up  in  a  luxurious  home.  He 
looked  sad  and  anxious,  and  the  glances  he  fixed 
on  his  companion  indicated  that  he  held  him  in 
fear. 

"Where  are  you  going?"  he  asked  timidly,  look- 
ing about  him  apprehensively. 

"You'll  know  soon  enough,"  was  the  rough 
reply. 

"When  are  you  going  to  take  me  home,  Mr 
Ford?"  asked  the  boy,  in  a  pleading  tone. 

"Don't  trouble  yourself  about  that." 

"Papa  will  be  so  anxious  about  me — papa  and 
Grant!" 

The  young  man's  brow  contracted. 

"Don't  mention  the  name  of  that  boy!  I  hate 
him." 


HELPING   HIMSELF  177 

"He  was  always  good  to  me.  I  liked  so  much 
to  be  with  him." 

"He  did  all  he  could  to  injure  me.  I  swore  to 
be  even  with  him,  and  I  will !" 

"But  I  have  never  injured  you,  Mr.  Ford." 

"How  could  you — a  baby  like  you?"  said  Ford, 
contemptuously. 

"Then  why  did  you  take  me  from  home,  and 
make  me  so  unhappy?" 

"Because  it  was  the  only  way  in  which  I  could 
strike  a  blow  at  your  father  and  Grant  Thornton. 
When  your  father  dismissed  me,  without  a  recom- 
mendation, not  caring  whether  I  starved  or  not,  he 
made  me  his  enemy." 

"But  he  wouldn't  if  you  hadn't " 

"Hadn't  what?"  (^manded  Ford,  sternly. 

"Taken  Mrs.  Estabrook's  bonds." 

"Dare  to  say  that  again,  and  I  will  beat  you," 
said  Willis  Ford,  brutally. 

Herbert  trembled,  for  he  had  a  timid  nature, 
and  an  exquisite  susceptibility  to  pain. 

"I  didn't  mean  to  offend  you,"  he  said. 

"You'd  better  not.  Wait  here  a  minutes,  while 
I  look  around  for  some  one  of  v/hom  I  can  make 
Inquiries.  Here,  sit  down  on  that  settee,  and,  mind 
you,  don't  stir  till  I  come  back.  Will  you  obey 
me?" 

"Yes,"  answered  the  boy,  submissively. 
( 


178  HELPING   HIMSELF 


CHAPTER  XXVII 

THE    RIDE    TO    BARTON's 

Willis  Ford  went  to  the  station  master,  who 
stood  at  the  door  with  a  cheap  cigar  in  his  mouth. 

"Is  there  a  man  named  Joel  Barton  Hving  here- 
abouts?" he  asked. 

The  station  master  took  his  cigar  from  his 
mouth  and  surveyed  his  questioner  with  some 
curiosity. 

"Does  he  owe  you  money?"  he  inquired. 

"No,"  answered  Ford,  impatiently.  "Will  you 
answer  my  question?" 

"You  needn't  be  in  such  a  pesky  hurry,"  drawled 
the  station  master.  "Yes,  he  lives  up  the  road 
a  piece." 

"How  far  Is  a  piece?" 

"Well,  maybe  a  mile." 

"Straight  on?" 

"Yes." 

"Is  there  anyway  of  riding?" 

"Well,  stranger,  I've  got  a  team  myself.  Is  that 
boy  with  you?" 


HELPING   HIMSELF  179 

"Yes." 

"I'll  take  you  over  for  half  a  dollar." 

"Can  you  go  at  once?" 

"Yes." 

"Then  it's  a  bargain." 

The  station  master,  whose  house  was  only  three 
minutes'  walk  away,  appeared  in  a  reasonable  time 
with  a  farm  wagon,  drawn  by  an  old  horse  that 
had  seen  better  days,  it  is  to  be  hoped,  for  she  was 
a  miserable-looking  mare. 

"Jump  in,  Herbert,"  said  Ford. 

The  boy  obeyed,  and  sat  on  the  front  seat,  be- 
tween the  driver  and  his  abductor. 

"I  suppose  the  horse  is  warranted  not  to  run 
away?"  said  Ford,  regarding  the  animal  with  a 
smile. 

"He  ran  away  with  me  once,"  was  the  unex- 
pected answer. 

"When  was  that?" 

"  'Bout  fifteen  years  ago,"  replied  the  driver, 
with  grim  humor.  "I  reckon  he's  steadied  down 
by  this  time." 

"It  looks  like  it,"  said  Ford. 

"Know  Joel  Barton?"  asked  the  station  master, 
after  a  pause. 

"I  saw  him  once  when  I  was  a  boy." 

"Any  relation?" 

"He  married  a  cousin  of  my  stepmother.  What 
sort  of  a  man  is  he?" 


i8o  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"Lie's  a  no-account  man — shif'less,  lazy — 
drinks." 

"That  agrees  with  what  I  have  heard.  How 
about  his  wife?" 

"She's  smart  enough.  If  he  was  like  her  they'd 
live  comfortably.  She  has  a  hard  time  with  him. 
and  Abner — Abner's  her  son,  and  just  like  his 
father,  only  doesn't  drink — yet.  Like  as  not  he 
will  when  he  gets  older." 

Willis  Ford  was  not  the  only  listener  to  this 
colloquy.  Herbert  paid  attention  to  every  word, 
and  in  the  poor  boy's  mind  there  was  the  uncom- 
fortable query,  "Why  are  we  going  to  these 
people?"  He  would  know  soon,  probably,  but 
he  had  a  presentiment  of  trouble. 

"Yes,"  continued  the  station  master,  "Mrs.  Bar- 
ton has  a  hard  row  to  hoe;  but  she's  a  match  for 
Joel." 

"What  do  you  mean  by  that?" 

"She's  got  a  temper  of  her  own,  and  she  can 
talk  a  man  deaf,  dumb  and  blind.  She  gives  Bar- 
ton a  piece  of  her  mind  whenever  he  comes  home 
full." 

"She  ought  to  have  that  satisfaction.  From 
what  you  tell  me,  I  don't  feel  very  proud  of  my 
unknown  relatives." 

"Goin'  to  stay  there  any  length  of  time?" 

"I  don't  know  my  own  plans  yet,"  answered 
Willis  Ford,  with  a  glance  at  the  boy.     He  fore- 


HELPING   HIMSELF  i8i 

saw  a  scene  when  he  announced  his  purpose  to  leave 
Herbert  in  this  unpromising  place,  but  he  did  not 
wish  to  anticipate  it. 

"I  suppose  Barton  is  a  farmer?"  he  suggested. 

"He  pretends  to  be,  but  his  farm  doesn't  pay 
much." 

"What  supports  them?" 

"His  wife  takes  in  work  from  the  tailors  in  the 
the  village.  Then  they've  got  a  cow,  and  she 
makes  butter.  As  for  Joel,  he  brings  in  precious 
little  money.  He  might  pick  up  a  few  dollars  hirin' 
out  by  the  day,  if  he  wasn't  so  lazy.  I  had  a  job 
for  him  myself  one  day,  but  he  knocked  off  at  noon 
— said  he  was  tuckered  out,  and  wanted  me  to  pay 
him  for  that  half  day.  I  knew  well  enough  where 
the  money  would  go,  so  I  told  him  I  wouldn't  pay 
him  unless  he  worked  until  sunset." 

"Did  he  do  it?" 

"Yes,  he  did;  but  he  grumbled  a  good  deal. 
When  he  got  his  pay  he  went  over  to  Thompson's 
saloon,  and  he  didn't  leave  it  until  all  the  money 
was  spent.  When  his  wife  heard  of  it  she  was 
mad,  and  I  expect  she  gave  Joel  a  taste  of  the 
broom  handle." 

"I  wouldn't  blame  her  much." 

"Nor  I.  But  here  we  are.  Yonder's  Barton's 
house.    Will  you  get  out?" 

"Yes." 

Abner,  who  was  sitting  on  a  stump,  no  sooner 


1 82  HELPING   HIMSELF 

saw  the  team  stop  than  he  ran  into  the  house,  in 
some  excitement,  to  tell  the  news. 

"Marm,"  he  said,  "there's  a  team  stopped,  and 
there's  a  man  and  boy  gettin'  out;  'spect  they're 
coming  here." 

"Lord's  sake!     Who  be  they?" 

"Dunno." 

"Well,  go  out  and  tell  'em  I'll  see'  em  in  a 
minute." 

Abner  met  them  In  front  of  the  house. 
'     "Are  you  Joel  Barton's  son?"  asked  Ford. 

"That's  what  the  old  man  says,"  returned  Ab- 
ner, with  a  grin. 

"Is  your  mother  at  home?" 

"Marm  will  be  right  out.  She's  sllckin'  up. 
Who  be  you?" 

"You'll  know  in  good  time,  my  boy." 

"Who's  he?     Is  he  your  son?" 

"No,"  answered  Herbert  promptly. 

Willis  Ford  turned  upon  his  young  ward  with 
a  frown.    He  understood  the  boy's  tone. 

"It  will  be  time  to  speak  when  you  are  spoken 
to,"  he  said  sharply. 

"Here's  marm'"  said  Abner,  as  his  mother's  tall 
figure  appeared  In  the  doorway. 


HELPING  HIMSELF  183 


CHAPTER    XXVIII 

HERBERT  IS  PROVIDED  WITH  A  NEW  HOME 

Mrs.  Barton  regarded  the  newcomers  with  a 
■^^ronderlng  stare. 

"Did  you  want  to  see  Joel?"  she  asked. 

"I  shall  be  glad  to  see  him  in  due  time,  Mrs. 
Barton,"  returned  Willis  Ford,  with  unwonted  po- 
liteness; "but  I  came  principally  to  see  you." 

"Who  be  you?"  inquired  Mrs.  Barton,  uncere- 
moniously; "I  don't  know  you  no  more'n  the 
dead." 

"There  is  a  slight  connection  between  us,  how- 
ever. I  am  the  stepson  of  Pauline  Estabrook,  of 
New  York,  who  is  a  cousin  of  yours." 

"You  don't  say  Pauline  is  your  mother?"  ejacu- 
lated the  lady  of  the  house.  "Well,  I  never  ex- 
pected to  see  kith  or  kin  of  hers  out  here.  Is  that 
your  son?" 

"No,  Mrs.  Barton;  but  he  is  under  my  charge." 

Herbert  was  about  to  disclaim  this,  but  an  omi- 
nous frown  from  Willis  Ford  intimidated  him. 


1 84  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"My  name  is  Willis  Ford;  his  is  Sam  Green." 

Herbert's  eyes  opened  wide  with  astonishment  at 
this  statement. 

"My  name  is "  he  commenced. 

"Silence!"  hissed  Ford,  with  a  menacing  look. 
"You  must  not  contradict  me." 

"I  s'pose  I  ought  to  invite  you  to  stay  here," 
said  Mrs.  Barton,  awkwardly;  "but  he's  so  shif- 
less,  and  such  a  poor  provider,  that  I  ain't  got  any- 
thing in  the  house  fit  for  dinner." 

"Thank  you,"  returned  Ford,  with  an  inward 
shudder.  "I  shall  dine  at  the  hotel;  but  I  have  a 
little  business  matter  to  speak  of,  Mrs.  Barton, 
and  I  would  wish  to  speak  in  private.  I  will  come 
into  the  house,  with  your  permission,  and  we  will 
leave  the  two  boys  together." 

"Come  right  in,"  said  Mrs.  Barton,  whose  curi- 
osity was  aroused.  "Here,  you  Abner,  just  take 
care  of  the  little  boy." 

Abner  proceeded  to  do  this,  first  thinking  it 
necessary  to  ask  a  few  questions. 

"Where  do  you  live  when  you're  at  home,  Sam?" 
he  asked. 

"In  New  York;  but  my  name  isn't  Sam,"  replied 
Herbert. 

"What  is  it,  then?" 

"Herbert." 

"What  makes  him  call  you  Sam,  then?"  asked 
Abner,  with  a  jerk  of  the  finger  toward  the  house. 


HELPING   HIMSELF  185 

"I  don't  know,  except  he  is  afraid  I  will  be 

found." 

Abner  looked  puzzled. 

"Is  he  your  guardeen?"  he  asked. 

"No;  he  was  my  father's  clerk." 

"Ho!     Did  your  father  have  clerks?" 

"Yes;  he  is  a  rich  man  and  does  business  in  New 
York." 

"What  made  him  send  you  out  here?'* 

"He  didn't." 

"Then  why  did  you  come?" 

"Mr.  Ford  was  mad  with  papa,  and  stole  me 
away." 

"He  wouldn't  steal  me  away  easy!"  said  Abner, 
defiantly;  "but,  then,  I  ain't  a  little  kid  like  you." 

"I'm  not  a  kid,"  said  Herbert,  who  was  not 
used  to  slang. 

"Oh,  you  don't  know  what  I  mean — you're  a 
little  boy  and  couldn't  do  nothin'.  If  he  tried  to 
take  me,  he'd  find  his  hands  full." 

Herbert,  who  was  not  very  much  prepossessed 
by  Abner's  appearance,  thought  it  very  doubtful 
whether  any  one  would  ever  attempt  to  kidnap 
him. 

"What's  he  goin'  to  do  with  you?"  continued 
Abner. 

"I  don't  know.  I  expect  he'll  make  papa  pay 
a  good  sum  to  get  me  back." 

"Humph!"    remarked   Abner,    surveying   with 


i86  HELPING   HIMSELF 

some  contempt  the  small  proportions  of  the  boy 
before  him.  "You  ain't  much  good.  I  don't  be- 
lieve he'll  pay  much  for  you." 

Tears  sprang  to  the  eyes  of  the  little  boy,  but 
he  forced  them  back. 

"My  papa  would  think  differently,"  he  said. 

"Papa !"  mimicked  Abner.  "Oh,  how  nice  we 
are!     Why  don't  you  say  dad,  like  I  do?" 

"Because  it  isn't  a  nice  name.  Papa  wouldn't 
like  to  have  me  call  him  so." 

"Where  did  you  get  them  clothes?  I  don't 
think  much  of  'em." 

"Nor  I,"  answered  Herbert.  "They're  not  my 
own  clothes.  Mr.  Ford  bought  them  for  me  in 
Chicago." 

"He  must  like  you,  to  buy  you  new  clothes." 

"No,  he  doesn't.  My  own  clothes  were  much 
nicer.  He  sold  them.  He  was  afraid  some  one 
would  know  me  in  the  others." 

"I  wonder  what  he  and  mam  are  talking  about 
so  long?" 

This  question  Herbert  was  unable  to  answer. 
He  did  not  guess  how  nearly  this  conversation  af- 
fected him. 

No  sooner  had  the  two  entered  the  house  than 
Willis  Ford  began. 

"Mrs.  Barton,"  he  said,  "I'll  tell  you  now  what 
brought  me  here." 

"Go  ahead,"  said  the  lady,  encouragingly. 


HELPING   HIMSELF  187 

"I  want  you  to  take  the  boy  I  have  brought  with 
me  to  board." 

"Land  sakes!    I  don't  keep  a  boardin'  house!" 

"No;  but  If  I  will  make  it  worth  your  while  you 
will  take  him,  won't  you  ?" 

"How  much  will  you  give?"  asked  Mrs.  Barton, 
shrewdly. 

"Four  dollars  a  week," 

"He'll  be  a  sight  of  trouble,"  said  the  lady;  but 
there  was  something  in  her  tone  that  satisfied  Ford 
that  she  was  favorably  inclined  to  the  proposal. 

"Oh,  no,  he  won't.  He's  so  small  that  you  can 
twist  him  round  your  finger.  Besides,  Abner  will 
be  company  for  him.  He  will  be  with  him  most 
of  the  time." 

"Say  five  dollars  and  it's  a  bargain,"  said  Mrs, 
Barton. 

Ford  hesitated.  He  did  not  care  to  spend  more 
than  he  was  obliged  to,  but  it  was  of  Importance 
to  obtain  at  least  a  temporary  refuge  for  the  boy, 
of  whose  care  he  was  heartily  tired.  It  seemed  to 
him  that  five  dollars  would  be  enough  to  support 
the  whole  family  in  the  style  in  which  they  were 
apparently  accustomed  to  live.  However,  it  was 
politic  to  make  the  sum  sufficient  to  Interest  these 
people  in  retaining  charge  of  the  boy. 

"Well,"  he  said,  after  a  pause,  "It's  more  than 
I  expected  to  pay,  but  I  suppose  I  shall  have  to 


1 88  HELPING   HIMSELF 

accept  your  terms.  I  conclude  Mr.  Barton  will  not 
object  to  your  taking  a  boarder?" 

"Oh,  Joel  is  of  no  account,"  returned  Mrs.  Bar- 
ton, contemptuously.     "I  run  this  house!" 

Willis  Ford  suppressed  a  smile.  He  could  easily 
believe  from  Mrs.  Barton's  appearance  that  she 
was  the  head  of  the  establishment. 

"There's  one  thing  more,"  added  Mrs.  Barton; 
"you're  to  pay  the  money  to  me.  Jest  as  sure  as 
it  goes  into  Joel's  hands,  it'll  go  for  drink.  The 
way  that  man  carries  on  is  a  disgrace." 

"I  should  prefer  to  pay  the  money  to  you,"  said 
Ford. 

"You'll  have  to  pay  somethin'  in  advance,  if  you 
want  the  boy  to  have  anythin'  to  eat.  I've  got  to 
send  to  the  village,  and  I  haven't  got  a  cent  In  the 
house." 

Willis  Ford  took  out  a  pocketbook.  Extracting 
therefrom  four  five-dollar  bills,  he  handed  them  to 
Mrs.  Barton. 

"There's  money  for  four  weeks,"  he  said. 
"When  that  time  is  up  I'll  send  you  more." 

Mrs.  Barton's  eyes  sparkled,  and  she  eagerly 
clutched  the  money. 

"I  ain't  seen  so  much  money  for  years,"  she  said. 
"I'll  jest  look  out  Joel  don't  get  hold  of  it.  Don't 
you  tell  Joel  or  Abner  how  much  you've  paid  me." 

"I'll  take  care  of  that,  Mrs.  Barton.  By  the 
way,  I  must  caution  you  not  to  believe  any  of  the 


HELPING   HIMSELF  189 

boy's  stories.  He's  the  son  of  a  friend  of  mine, 
who's  put  him  under  my  care.  The  boy's  weak- 
minded,  and  has  strange  fancies.  He  thinks  his 
name  isn't  Sam  Green,  and  that  his  father  is  rich. 
Why,  only  the  other  day  he  insisted  his  name  was 
George  Washington." 

"Land's  sake !    How  cur'us !" 

"Of  course ;  you  won't  pay  any  attention  to  what 
he  says.  He  may  take  it  into  his  head  to  run  away. 
If  he  does,  you  must  get  him  back." 

"You  can  trust  me  to  do  that!"  said  Mrs.  Bar- 
ton, with  emphasis.  "I  ain't  goin'  to  let  no  five- 
dollar  boarder  slip  through  my  fingers  !" 

"That's  well !  Now  I  must  be  going.  You  will 
hear  from  me  from  time  to  time." 

He  passed  through  the  front  door  into  the  yard. 

"Good-by!"  he  said. 

Herbert  was  about  to  follow  him,  but  he  waived 
him  back. 

"You  are  not  to  come  with  me,  Sam,"  he  said. 
"I  shall  leave  you  for  a  few  weeks  with  this  good 
lady." 

Herbert  stared  at  him  in  dismay.  This  was 
something  he  had  never  dreamed  of. 


190  HELPING  HIMSELF 


CHAPTER    XXIX 

INTRODUCES   MR.    BARTON 

When  Herbert  realized  that  he  was  to  be  left 
behind  he  ran  after  Willis  Ford,  and  pleaded  for 
the  privilege  of  accompanying  him. 

"Don't  leave  me  here,  Mr.  Ford!"  he  said.  "I 
should  die  of  homesickness!" 

"So  you  would  rather  go  with  me?"  Ford  said, 
with  an  amused  smile. 

"Oh,  yes,  much  rather!" 

"I  had  not  supposed  you  valued  my  company 
so  highly.  I  ought  to  feel  complimented.  I  am 
sorry  to  disappoint  you,  but  I  shall  have  to  leave 
you  here  for  a  few  weeks.  This  good  lady  will 
take  good  care  of  you." 

Herbert  stole  a  glance  at  Mrs.  Barton,  who 
was  watching  him  with  mingled  contempt  and  im- 
patience, but  he  did  not  become  any  more  recon- 
ciled to  the  prospect.    He  reiterated  his  request. 

"I  have  had  enough  of  this,"  said  Ford,  sternly. 
"You  will  stop  making  a  fuss  if  you  know  what  is 


HELPING  HIMSELF  191 

best  for  yourself.  Good-by !  You  will  hear  from 
me  soon." 

Herbert  realized  the  uselessness  of  his  resist- 
ance, and  sank  despondently  upon  the  grass. 

"Is  he  goin'  to  stay  here,  mam?"  asked  Abner,. 
curiously. 

"Yes;  he's  goin'  to  board  with  us."        *■ 

"Ho,  ho!"  laughed  Abner;  "he'll  have  a  nice 
boardin'  place!" 

"Abner,  you  jest  shut  up,  or  I'll  take  a  stick  to> 
you!  You  needn't  make  him  any  more  homesick 
than  he  is.    Just  try  ef  you  can't  amuse  him." 

"Say,  Sam,  I  guess  we'll  have  a  stavin'  time  to- 
gether," said  Abner,  really  pleased  to  have  a  com- 
panion. "What'll  we  do?  Want  to  play  leap- 
frog?" 

"I  don't  feel  like  playing,"  answered  Herbert^ 
despondently. 

"We  might  go  fishin',"  suggested  Abner. 
"There's  a  pond  only  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from 
here." 

"I  don't  know  how  to  fish,"  said  Herbert. 

"Don't  know  how  to  fish?  What  do  you  know 
how  to  do?" 

"We  don't  have  any  chance  in  New  York." 

"Say,"  exclaimed  Abner,  with  sudden  interest^ 
"is  New  York  a  nice  place  ?" 

"I  wish  I  was  back  there.  I  never  shall  be  happy 
anywhere's  else." 


192  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"Tell  me  what  you  fellows  do  there.  I  dunno 
but  I'd  like  to  go  myself." 

Before  Herbert  had  a  chance  to  answer  Mrs. 
Barton  broke  in: 

"Abner,  you  take  care  of  Sam  while  I  go  to  the 
village." 

"What  are  you  goin'  there  for,  mam?" 

"I'm  going  to  buy  some  sausages  for  dinner. 
We  haven't  got  anything  in  the  house." 

"Me  and  Sam  will  go,  if  you'll  give  us  the 
money." 

"I  know  you  too  well,  Abner  Barton.  I  won't 
trust  you  with  the  money.  Ef  I  gave  you  a  five- 
dollar  bill,  I'd  never  see  any  on't  back  again," 

"Say,  mam,  you  haven't  got  a  five-dollar  bill, 
have  you?"  asked  Abner,  with  distended  eyes. 

"Never  you  mind !" 

"I'll  tell  dad  ef  you  don't  give  me  some." 

"You  jest  dare  to  do  it!"  returned  Mrs.  Bar- 
ton, in  a  menacing  tone.  "Your  father  ain't  got 
nothin'  to  do  with  it.    It's  money  for  Sam's  board." 

"My  name  isn't  Sam,"  expostulated  Herbert, 
who  had  a  natural  preference  for  his  own  appella- 
tion. 

"That's  what  I'm  goin'  to  call  you.  You  can 
call  yourself  George  Washington,  or  General  Jack- 
son, ef  you  want  to.  Mebbe  you're  Christopher 
Columbus." 


HELPING   HIMSELF  193 

"My  name  Is  Herbert  Reynolds,"  said  Herbert, 
annoyed. 

"That's  what  you  call  yourself  to-day.  There's 
no.knowin'  who  you'll  be  to-morrow." 

"Don't  you  believe  me,  Mrs.  Barton?"  asked 
Herbert,  distressed. 

"No,  I  don't.  The  man  who  brung  you — I  dis- 
remember  his  name " 

"Willis  Ford." 

"Well,  Willis  Ford,  then !  It  seems  you  know 
his  name.  Well,  he  told  me  you  was  loony,  and 
thought  you  was  somebody  else  than  your  own 
self." 

"He  told  you  that  I  was — crazy?"  ejaculated 
Herbert. 

"Yes;  and  I  have  no  doubt  It's  so." 

"It's  a  wicked  lie!"  exclaimed  Herbert,  Indig- 
nantly; "and  I'd  like  to  tell  him  so  to  his  face." 

"Well,  you  won't  have  a  chance  for  some  time. 
But  I  can't  stand  here  talkin'.  I  must  be  goin'  to 
the  store.  You  two  behave  yourselves  while  I'm 
gone !" 

Herbert  felt  so  dull  and  dispirited  that  he  did 
not  care  to  speak,  but  Abner's  curiosity  had  been 
excited  about  New  York,  and  he  plied  his  young 
companion  with  questions,  which  Herbert  an- 
swered wearily.  Though  he  responded  listlessly, 
and  did  not  say  any  more  than  he  felt  obliged  to, 
he  excited  Abner's  Interest. 


194  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"I  mean  to  go  to  New  York  some  time,"  he  said. 
^'Isitfar?" 

"It's  as  much  as  a  thousand  miles.  It  may  be 
more." 

"Phew!  That's  a  big  distance.  How  did  you 
come?" 

"We  came  in  the  cars." 

"Did  it  cost  much?" 

"I  don't  know.    Mr.  Ford  paid  for  the  tickets." 

"Has  he  got  plenty  of  money?" 

"I  don't  think  he  has.  He  used  to  be  pa's  clerk." 

"I  wish  we  had  enough  money.  You  and  me 
would  start  some  fine  mornin',  and  mebbe  your 
father  would  give  me  something  to  do  when  we 
got  there." 

For  the  first  time  Herbert  began  to  feel  an  in- 
terest in  the  conversation. 

"Oh,  I  wish  we  could,"  he  said,  fervently. 
"I  know  pa  would  give  you  a  lot  of  money  for 
bringing  me  back." 

"Do  you  really  think  he  would?"  asked  Abner, 
briskly. 

"I  know  he  would.  But  your  mother  wouldn't 
let  us  go." 

"She  wouldn't  know  it,"  said  Abner,  winking. 

"You  wouldn't  run  away  from  home?"  ques- 
tioned Herbert. 

"Why  wouldn't  I?  What's  to  keep  me  here? 
Mam's  always  scoldin',  and  dad  gets  drunk  when- 


HELPING  HIMSELF  195 

ever  he  has  any  money  to  spend  for  drink.  I 
reckon  they  wouldn't  care  much  if  I  made  myself 
sca'ce." 

Herbert  was  not  sure  whether  he  ought  not  to 
feel  shocked.  He  admitted  to  himself,  however, 
that  if  he  had  a  father  and  mother  answering  the 
the  description  of  Abner's,  that  he  would  not  so 
much  regret  leaving  them.  At  any  rate,  Abner's 
words  awoke  a  hope  of  sometime  getting  away 
from  the  place  he  already  hated,  and  returning  to 
his  city  home,  now  more  valued  than  ever. 

"We  can't  go  without  money,"  he  said,  in  a 
troubled  voice. 

"Couldn't  we  walk?" 

"It's  too  far,  and  I"m  not  strong." 

"I  could  walk  it,  ef  I  took  time  enough,"  as- 
serted Abner,  positively.     "Hello!  there's  dad!" 

Herbert  looked  up,  and,  following  Abner's 
glance,  saw  a  man  approaching  the  farmhouse. 
Mr.  Barton — for  it  was  he — was  a  tall  man,  shab- 
bily attired,  his  head  crowned  with  a  battered  hat, 
whose  gait  indicated  a  little  uncertainty,  and  be- 
trayed some  difficulty  about  the  maintenance  of  his 
equilibrium. 

"Is  that  your  father?"  asked  Herbert. 

"It's  the  old  man,  sure  enough.  He's  about  half 
full." 

"What's  that?" 

"He's  been  drlnkin",  as  usual;  but  he  didn't 


196  HELPING   HIMSELF 

drink  enough  to  make  him  tight.  Guess  his  funds 
give  out." 

Herbert  was  rather  shocked  at  Abner's  want  of 
respect  in  speaking  of  his  father,  but  even  to  him 
Mr.  Barton  hardly  seemed  like  a  man  who  could 
command  a  son's  respect. 

"Wonder  whether  dad  met  mam  on  the  way?" 
said  Abner,  musing. 

By  this  time  Mr.  Barton  had  entered  the  yard, 
and  caught  sight  of  his  son  and  Herbert. 

"Abner,"  said  he,  in  a  thick  voice,  "who's  that 
boy?" 

"Then  he  didn't  meet  mam,"  thought  Abner. 
"He's  a  boy  that's  goin'  to  board  with  us,  dad," 
he  answered. 

"You  don't  say!  Glad  to  make  your  acquaint- 
ance, boy,"  he  said,  straightening  up. 

"Thank  you,  sir,"  answered  Herbert,  faintly. 


HELPING   HIMSELF  197 


CHAPTER    XXX 

A     MODEL      HOUSEHOLD 

"When  did  you  come?"  asked  Barton,  steady- 
ing himself  against  a  tree. 

"Half  an  hour  ago,"  answered  Abner,  for  Her- 
bert was  gazing,  with  a  repulsion  he  found  it  diffi- 
cult to  conceal,  at  Barton,  whose  flushed  face  and 
thick  utterance  indicated  his  condition  very  clearly. 

"Who  came  with  him?"  continued  Barton. 

"You'd  better  ask  mam.  She  attended  to  the 
business.    It  was  a  young  man." 

"Where  is  she?" 

"Gone  to  the  village  to  buy  some  sassiges  for 
dinner." 

"Good!"  exclaimed  Barton,  in  a  tone  of  satis- 
faction. "I'll  stay  at  home  to  dinner  to-day.  Did 
the  man  pay  your  mother  any  money?" 

"I  s'pose  so,  or  she  wouldn't  be  buyin'  sassiges. 
Old  Schickman  won't  trust  us  any  more." 

"The  money  should  have  been  paid  to  me.  I'll 
see  about  it  when  your  mam  comes  back  from  the 
store." 


198  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"You'd  spend  it  all  for  drink,  dad,"  said  Abner. 

"How  dare  you  speak  so  to  your  father,  you 
ungrateful  young  dog!" 

^  He  essayed  to  reach  Abner  to  strike  him,  but 
his  dutiful  son  dodged  easily,  and  his  father,  being 
unsteady  on  his  legs,  fell  on  the  ground. 

Abner  laughed,  but  Herbert  was  too  much 
shocked  to  share  in  his  enjoyment.    • 

^  "Come  here  and  help  me  up,  you  Abner!"  said 
his  father. 

"Not  much,  dad !  If  you  hadn't  tried  to  lick  me 
you  wouldn't  have  fallen  !" 

"Let  me  help  you,  sir!"  said  Herbert,  conquer- 
ing his  instinctive  disgust  and  approaching  the 
fallen  man. 

"You're  a  gentleman !"  murmured  Barton,  as  he 
took  the  little  boy's  proffered  hand  and,  after  con- 
siderable ado,  raised  himself  to  a  standing  position. 
"You're  a  gentleman;  I  wish  I  had  a  boy  like  you." 

Herbert  could  not  join  in  the  wish.  He  felt  that 
a  father  like  Joel  Barton  would  be  a  great  mis- 
fortune. 

But  just  then  Mrs.  Barton  entered  the  yard, 
marching  with  long  strides  like  a  man's. 

"Here's  mam!"  announced  Abner. 
^  Barton  steadied  himself  as  he  turned  to  look  at 
his  wife. 

"I  want  to  see  you,  Mrs.  B.,"  he  said.  "When 
are  you  goin'  to  have  dinner?" 


HELPING   HIMSELF  199 

"Never,  If  I  depended  on  you  to  supply  the 
vittles!"  she  answered,  bluntly. 

"Don't  speak  so  before  a  stranger,"  said  Barton, 
with  a  hiccough.    "You  hurt  my  feelin's." 

"Your  feelin's  are  tough,  and  so  are  mine  by 
this  time." 

"What  have  you  got  there?" 

"Some  sassiges.  Ef  you  want  your  share,  you'll 
have  to  be  on  time.     I  shan't  save  you  any." 

"How  much  money  did  the  man  pay  you, 
Mrs.  B.?" 

"That's  my  business !"  retorted  his  wife,  shortly. 

"Mrs.  B.,"  said  her  husband,  straightening  up, 
"I  want  you  to  understand  that  I'm  the  master  of 
this  house,  and  it's  my  right  to  take  care  of  the 
money.    You'll  oblige  me  by  handin'  it  over." 

"I'll  do  nothing  of  the  sort,  Joel  Barton  !  You'd 
only  spend  it  for  drink." 

"Would  you  grudge  me  the  few  pennies  I  spend 
for  drink?  My  system  requires  it.  That's  what 
the  doctor  says." 

"Then  you  must  find  the  money  for  it  yourself. 
My  system  requires  something  to  eat,  and,  ef  I 
take  a  boarder,  he's  got  to  have  something  to  eat, 
too." 

"Mrs.  B.,  I  didn't  think  your  heart  was  so 
hard,"  said  Barton,  in  a  maudlin  tone. 

"Look  here,  Joel  Barton;  you  might  as  well 
stop  such  foolish  talk.     It  won't  do  no  good.     I 


200  HELPING   HIMSELF 

can't  stay  here  all  day.  I  must  go  and  be  gettin* 
dinner." 

Had  Barton  succeeded  in  raising  money  from 
his  wife,  he  would  probably  have  returned  at  once 
to  the  tavern,  and  his  place  would  have  been  vacant 
at  the  dinner  table.  Failing  in  this,  he  lay  back 
and  fell  asleep,  and  was  not  roused  till  dinner  time. 

Mrs.  Barton  was  a  fair  cook,  and  Herbert  ate 
with  an  unexpected  relish.  It  is  needless  to  say  that 
Abner  also  did  full  justice  to  the  meal. 

"I  say,  Sam,"  he  said,  "I'm  glad  you've  come." 

Herbert  was  hardly  prepared  to  agree  with  him. 

"Now  we'll  have  to  live  better,"  Abner  ex- 
plained. "Mam  and  I  gen'ally  have  to  skirmish 
round  for  vittles.    We  don't  often  get  meat." 

This  frank  confession  rather  alarmed  Herbert. 
He  was  not  over  self-indulgent,  but  he  had  never 
lacked  for  nourishing  food,  and  the  prospect  of  an 
uncertain  supply  was  not  encouraging. 

When  dinner  was  over — there  was  no  second 
course — they  left  the  table.  Joel  Barton  made  a 
fresh  attempt  to  extort  a  small  sum  from  his  wife, 
but  was  met  with  an  inflexible  refusal.  Mrs.  Bar- 
ton proved  deaf  alike  to  entreaties  and  threats. 
She  was  a  strong,  resolute  woman,  and  not  one  to 
be  intimidated. 

When  Barton  left  the  house  his  look  of  disap- 
pointment had  given  place  to  one  of  cunning. 


HELPING  HIMSELF  201 

"Come  here,  Abner!"  he  said,  beckoning  to  his 
son  and  heir. 

"What  for?" 

"Never  you  mind." 

"But  I  do  mind.     Do  you  want  to  catch  hold 
of  me?" 

"No;  it's  only  a  little  matter  of  business.     It's 
for  your  good." 

Abner  accompanied  his   father  as   far  as  the 
fence. 

"Now,  what  do  you  want?"  he  asked,  with  his 
eyes  warily  fixed  on  his  father. 

"I  want  you  to  find  out  where  your  mam  keeps 
that  money,"  said  Barton,  in  a  coaxing  tone. 

"What  for?" 

"You're  to  take  it  and  bring  it  to  me." 

"And  go  without  eatin'?" 

"I'll  buy  the  provisions  myself.  I'm  the  head 
of  the  family." 

"Do  you  want  me  to  hook  money  from  mam?" 

"  'Twon't  be  hookin'.  The  money  by  right  be- 
longs to  me.    Ain't  I  the  head  of  the  family?" 

"I  dunno  about  that.  Mam's  the  boss,  and  al- 
ways has  been,"  chuckled  Abner. 

Joel  frowned,  but  immediately  tried  another 
attack. 

"Of  course  I'll  give  you  some  of  it,  Abner,"  he 
resumed.  "If  there's  five  dollars  I'll  give  you  a 
quarter." 


M 


202  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"I'll  see  about  it,  dad." 

"Get  it  for  me  before  evenin',  if  you  can.  I 
shall  need  it  then." 

Abner  returned  to  Herbert,  and  frankly  related 
the  conversation  that  had  taken  place  between  him- 
self and  his  father. 

Herbert  was  shocked.  He  did  not  know  what 
to  think  of  the  singular  family  he  had  got  into. 

"You  won't  do  it,  will  you?"  he  asked,  startled. 

"No,  I  won't.  I  want  a  quarter  bad  enough. 
but  I'd  rather  mam  would  keep  the  money.  She'll 
spend  it  for  vittles,  and  dad  would  spend  it  for 
drink.  Wouldn't  you  like  to  go  a-fishin' ?  It's  fine 
weather,  and  we'll  have  fun." 

Herbert  assented,  not  knowing  how  to  dispose 
of  his  time.  Abner  turned  the  conversation  again 
upon  New  York.  What  Herbert  had  already  told 
him  had  powerfully  impressed  his  imagination. 

"Haven't  you  got  any  money?"  he  asked. 

"No,"  answered  Herbert.  "Mr.  Ford  took 
away  all  I  had  , except  this." 

He  drew  from  his  pocket  a  nickel. 

"That  won't  do  no  good,"  said  Abner,  disap- 
pointed. "Stop  a  minute,  though,"  he  added,  after 
a  minute's  pause.  "Wouldn't  your  folks  send  you 
some  money,  if  you  should  write  to  them?" 

"Yes,"  answered  Herbert,  his  face  brightening. 
"Why  didn't  I  think  of  that  before  ?  If  I  could  get 
some  paper  and  ink  I'd  write  at  once  to  papa.     T 


HELPING  HIMSELF  203 

know  he'd  either  send  the  money  or  come  for 
me. 

"We'll  go  to  the  post  office,"  said  Abner. 
"There  you  can  buy  some  paper  and  a  postage 
stamp.  You've  got  just  money  enough.  There's 
a  pen  and  ink  there." 

"Let  us  go  at  once,"  said  Herbert,  eagerly. 

The  boys  took  their  way  to  the  village.  The 
letter  was  written  and  posted,  and  a  burden  was 
lifted  from  the  boy's  mind.  He  felt  that  his  father 
would  seek  him  out  at  once,  and  he  could  bear  his 
present  position  for  a  short  time.  But,  alas!  for 
poor  Herbert — the  letter  never  came  into  his  fath- 
er's hands.  Why,  the  reader  will  learn  in  the  next 
chapter. 


204  HELPING   HIMSELF 


CHAPTER    XXXI 

THE      HOUSEKEEPER'S      CRIME 

It  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  during  this  time  the 
family  of  the  missing  boy  were  idle.  The  mys- 
terious disappearance  of  his  only  son  filled  his  fath- 
er's heart  with  anguish,  and  he  took  immediate 
steps  to  penetrate  the  mystery.  Not  only  was  the 
fullest  information  given  to  the  police,  but  an  ex- 
perienced  detective  connected  with  a  private  agency 
was  detailed  for  the  search.  The  matter  also  got 
into  the  papers,  and  Herbert,  in  his  Western  home, 
little  suspected  that  his  name  had  already  become  a 
household  word  in  thousands  of  families. 

Days  passed,  and  in  spite  of  the  efforts  that  were 
being  made  to  discover  him,  no  clew  had  been  ob- 
tained by  Herbert's  friends,  either  as  to  his  where- 
abouts, or  as  to  the  identity  of  the  party  or  parties 
that  had  abducted  him.  It  is  needless  to  say  that 
Grant  heartily  sympathized  with  the  afflicted 
father,  and  was  sad  on  his  own  account,  for  he 
had  become  warmly  attached  to  the  little  boy  whose 
constant  companion  he  had  been  in  his  hours  of 
leisure. 

The  only  one  in  the  house  who  took  the  matter 


HELPING  HIMSELF  205 

coolly  was  Mrs.  Estabrook,  the  housekeeper.  She 
even  ventured  to  suggest  that  Herbert  had  run 
away. 

"What  do  you  mean,  Mrs.  Estabrook?"  ex- 
claimed the  father,  impatiently.  "You  ought  to 
know  my  poor  boy  better  than  that!" 

"Boys  are  a  worrisome  set,"  returned  the  house- 
keeper j  composedly.  "Only  last  week  I  read  in 
the  Herald  about  two  boys  who  ran  away  from 
good  homes  and  went  out  to  kill  Indians." 

"Herbert  was  not  that  kind  of  a  boy,"  said 
Grant.     "He  had  no  fondness  for  adventure." 

"I  have  known  Herbert  longer  than  you,  young 
man,"  retorted  the  housekeeper,  with  a  sneer. 

"It  is  very  clear  that  you  didn't  know  him  as 
well,"  said  Mr.  Reynolds. 

Mrs.  Estabrook  sniffed,  but  said  nothing.  With- 
out expressly  saying  so,  it  was  evident  that  she  dis- 
sented from  Mr.  Reynolds'  opinion. 

The  broker's  loss  unfitted  him  for  work,  and  he 
left  the  details  of  office  work  to  his  subordinates, 
while  nearly  all  his  time  was  spent  in  interviews 
with  the  police  authorities  or  in  following  up  faint 
clews.  His  loss  seemed  to  strengthen  the  intimacy 
and  attachment  between  him  and  Grant,  in  whom 
he  confided  without  reserve.  When  at  home  in  the 
evening  he  talked  over  with  Grant,  whom  he  found 
a  sympathetic  listener,  the  traits  of  the  stolen  boy, 
and  brought  up  reminiscences,  trifling,  perhaps,  but 


2o6  HELPING   HIMSELF 

touching,  under  the  circumstances.  To  Mrs.  Esta- 
brook  he  seldom  spoke  of  his  son.  Her  cold  and 
unsympathetic  temperament  repelled  him.  She 
had  never  preferred  to  feel  any  attachment  for 
Herbert,  and  the  boy,  quick  to  read  her  want  of 
feeling,  never  cared  to  be  with  her. 

One  morning,  after  Mr.  Reynolds  and  Grant 
had  gone  out,  Mrs.  Estabrook,  on  going  to  the 
hall,  saw  a  letter  on  the  table,  which  had  been  left 
by  the  postman.  As  curiosity  was  by  no  means 
lacking  In  the  housekeeper's  composition,  she  took 
it  up,  and  peered  at  the  address  through  her 
glasses. 

It  was  directed  to  Mr.  Reynolds  in  a  round, 
schoolboy  hand. 

Mrs.  Estabrook's  heart  gave  a  sudden  jump  of 
excitement. 

"It's  Herbert's  handwriting,"  she  said  to  herself. 

She  examined  the  postmark,  and  found  that  it 
was  mailed  at  Scipio,  Illinois. 

She  held  the  letter  in  her  hand  and  considered 
what  she  should  do.  Should  the  letter  come  into 
the  hands  of  Mr.  Reynolds,  the  result  would  doubt- 
less be  that  the  boy  would  be  recovered,  and  would 
reveal  the  name  of  his  abductor.  This  would  sub- 
ject her  favorite,  Willis  Ford,  to  arrest,  and  prob- 
ably imprisonment. 

"He  should  have  been  more  careful,  and  not  al- 
lowed the  boy  to  write,"  said  the  housekeeper  to 


HELPING   HIMSELF  207 

herself.  "Willis  must  have  been  very  imprudent. 
If  I  only  knew  what  was  in  the  letter !" 

The  housekeeper's  curiosity  became  so  ungovern- 
able that  she  decided  to  open  It,  By  steaming  it, 
she  could  do  It,  and  If  It  seemed  expedient,  paste 
It  together  again.  She  had  little  compunction  In 
the  matter.  In  a  few  minutes  she  was  able  to  with- 
draw the  letter  from  the  envelope  and  read  its 
contents. 

This  Is  what  Herbert  wrote : 

"Scipio,  III. 
"Dear  Papa:  I  know  you  must  have  been  very 
anxious  about  me.  I  would  have  written  you  be- 
fore, but  I  have  had  no  chance.  Willis  Ford  found 
me  playing  In  the  street,  and  got  me  to  go  with  him 
by  saying  you  had  sent  for  me.  I  thought  it  strange 
you  should  have  sent  Mr.  Ford,  but  I  didn't  like 
to  refuse,  for  fear  It  was  true.  We  went  on  board 
a  steamer  in  the  harbor,  and  Mr.  Ford  took  me  In 
a  stateroom.  Then  he  put  a  handkerchief  to  my 
face,  and  I  became  sleepy.  When  I  waked  up  we 
we  were  at  sea.  I  don't  know  where  I  went,  but 
when  we  came  to  land,  some  time  the  next  day,  we 
got  into  the  cars  and  traveled  for  a  couple  of  days. 
I  begged  Mr.  Ford  to  take  me  home,  but  It  made 
him  cross.  I  think  he  hates  you  and  Grant,  and 
I  think  he  took  me  away  to  spite  you.  I  am  sure 
he  is  a  very  wicked  man. 


2o8  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"Finally  we  came  to  this  place.  It  Is  a  small 
place  In  Illinois.  The  people  who  live  here  are 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barton  and  their  son  Abner.  Mr, 
Joel  Barton  Is  a  drunkard.  He  gets  drunk  when- 
ever he  has  money  to  buy  whisky.  Mrs.  Barton 
Is  a  hard-working  woman,  and  she  does  about  all 
the  work  that  Is  done,  Mr.  Ford  paid  her  some 
money  In  advance.  She  Is  a  tall  woman,  and  her 
voice  sounds  like  a  man's.  She  does  not  111  treat 
me,  but  I  wish  I  were  at  home.  Abner  is  a  big, 
rough  boy,  a  good  deal  older  and  larger  than  I  am., 
but  he  Is  kind  to  me  and  he  wants  to  come  to  New 
York.  He  says  he  will  run  away  and  take  me  with 
him.  If  we  can  get  enough  money  to  pay  our  fares. 
I  don't  think  we  could  walk  it  so  far.  Abner  might, 
for  he  Is  a  good  deal  stronger  than  I  am,  but  I 
know  I  should  get  very  tired. 

"Now,  dear  papa.  If  you  will  send  me  monev" 
enough  to  pay  for  railroad  tickets,  Abner  and  I 
win  start  just  as  soon  as  we  get  It.  I  don't  know 
as  he  ought  to  run  away  from  home,  but  he  says 
his  father  and  mother  don't  care  for  him,  and  I 
don't  believe  they  do.  His  father  doesn't  care  for 
anything  but  whisky,  and  his  mother  Is  scolding 
him  all  the  time.  I  don't  think  she  would  do  that 
If  she  cared  much  for  him,  do  you? 

"I  have  filled  the  paper,  and  m.ust  stop.  Be  sure 
to  send  the  money  to  your  loving  son, 

"Herbert  Reynolds." 


HELPING   HIMSELF  209 

"How  easy  you  write!"  said  Abner,  in  wonder, 
as  he  saw  Herbert's  letter  growing  long  before  his 
eyes.  "It  would  take  me  a  week  to  write  as  long 
a  letter  as  that,  and  then  I  couldn't  do  it." 

"I  can't  write  so  easy  generally,"  said  the  little 
boy,  "but,  you  see,  I  have  a  good  deal  to  write 
about." 

"Then  there's  another  thing,"  said  Abner.  "I 
shouldn't  know  how  to  spell  so  many  words.  You 
must  be  an  awful  good  scholar." 

"I  always  liked  to  study,"  said  Herbert.  "Don't 
you  like  to  read  and  study?" 

"No;  I'd  rather  play  ball  or  go  fishin',  wouldn't 
you?" 

"I  like  to  play  part  of  the  time,  but  I  wouldn't 
like  to  grow  up  ignorant." 

"I  expect  I'll  always  be  a  know-nothin',  but  I 
reckon  I  know  as  much  as  dad.  The  old  man's 
awful  ignorant.  He  don't  care  for  nothin'  but 
whisky." 

"And  I  hope  you  won't  be  like  him  in  that, 
Abner." 

"No,  I  won't.  I  wouldn't  like  to  have  the  boys 
flingin'  stones  at  me,  as  they  did  at  dad  once  when 
he  was  tight.    I  licked  a  couple  of  'em." 

^  *P  *|»  3p  S|«  37?  Jfi 

Mrs.  Estabrook  read  Herbert's  letter  with  in- 
tense interest.     She  saw  that  the  little  boy's  testi- 


210  HELPING   HIMSELF 

mony  would  seriously  incriminate  Willis  Ford,  If 
he  were  recovered,  as  he  would  be  if  this  letter 
came  into  his  father's  hands. 

"There's  only  one  thing  to  do,"  the  housekeeper 
reflected,  closing  her  thin  lips  tightly. 

She  lit  the  gas  jet  In  her  chamber,  and,  without 
a  trace  of  compunction,  held  the  letter  In  the  flame 
until  It  was  thoroughly  consumed. 


HELPING  HIMSELfe  211 


'  CHAPTER    XXXIl 

HOPE  DEFERRED 

Day  after  day  Herbert  and  Abner  went  to  the 
post  office  and  inquired  for  letters,  but  alas !  none 
came.  Poor  Herbert  was  in  despair.  He  thought 
his  father  would  have  Instantly  sent  the  money,  or 
come  out  himself  to  take  him  home.  Was  it  pos- 
sible his  father  had  forgotten  him,  or  was  indif- 
ferent to  his  absence  ?  He  could  not  believe  It,  but 
what  was  he  to  think? 

"I  reckon  your  father  didn't  get  the  letter,"  sug- 
gested Abner. 

Herbert  hailed  this  suggestion  with  relief. 

"Or,  maybe,  mam  has  told  the  postmaster  to 
give  her  any  letters  that  come." 

This  suggestion,  too,  seemed  not  improbable. 

"What  can  we  do?"  asked  Flerbert,  helplessly. 

"I  reckon  we'd  better  run  away." 

"Without  money?" 

"We'll  hire  out  to  somebody  for  a  week  or  two 
and  write  from  where  we  are." 

"I'm  afraid  I  couldn't  do  much  work,"  said  the 
little  boy. 


212  HELPING  HIMSELF 

"Then  I'll  work  for  both,"  said  Abner,  stoutly. 
"I've  got  tired  of  stayin'  at  home,  anyway." 

"I'll  do  whatever  you  say,"  said  Herbert,  feel- 
ing that  any  change  would  be  for  the  better. 

"I'll  tell  you  when  I'm  ready,"  said  Abner. 
"We'll  start  some  time  when  mam's  gone  to  the 
village." 

There  was  another  reason  for  Herbert's  being 
dissatisfied  with  his  new  home.  A  month  had 
passed — the  full  time  for  which  Willis  Ford  had 
paid  the  boy's  board — and  there  were  no  indica- 
tions that  any  more  was  to  be  paid.  During  the 
the  first  week  the  fare  had  been  tolerable,  though 
Mrs.  Barton  was  not  a  skillful  cook;  but  now  there 
was  no  money  left,  and  the  family  fell  back  upon 
what  their  limited  resources  could  supply.  Mush 
and  milk  now  constituted  their  principal  diet.  It 
is  well  enough  occasionally,  but,  when  furnished  at 
every  meal,  both  Herbert  and  Abner  became  tired 
of  it. 

"Haven't  you  got  anything  else  for  dinner, 
mam?"  asked  Abner,  discontentedly. 

"No,  I  haven't,"  answered  the  mother,  snap- 
pishly. 

"You  used  to  have  sassiges  and  bacon." 

"That  was  when  I  had  money  to  buy  'em." 

"Where's  all  that  money  gone  the  man  left  with 
him?"  indicating  Herbert. 

"It's  spent,  and  I  wish  WiHis  Ford  would  send 


HELPING   HIMSELF  213 

along  some  more  mighty  quick.  He  needn't  expect 
me  to  take  a  free  boarder." 

She  looked  severely  at  Herbert,  as  if  he  were  in 
fault.  Certainly  the  poor  boy  had  no  desire  to  live 
on  the  liberality  of  Mrs.  Barton. 

"Maybe  he's  sent  you  some  money  in  a  letter," 
suggested  Abner. 

"Well,  I  never  thought  of  that.  It's  a  bright 
idee,  ef  it  did  come  from  you,  Abner  Barton.  Jest 
go  up  to  the  postoffice  after  dinner,  and  ask  if 
there's  any  letter  for  me.  Ef  there  is,  mind  you, 
don't  open  it." 

"All  right,  mam." 

"Come  along,  bub,"  said  Abner. 

This  was  the  name  he  gave  to  Herbert,  whom  he 
liked  in  his  own  rough  way. 

"I  don'f  think,"  said  Herbert,  as  they  walked 
along,  "that  your  mother  can  have  got  any  letter 
written  by  my  father.  If  she  had,  she  would  not 
be  out  of  money." 

"I  reckon  you're  right.  Do  you  think  that  Ford 
feller  will  send  money  for  your  board?" 

"I  think  he  will,  if  he  can,  for  he  wants  to  keep 
me  here ;  but  I  don't  think  he  has  much  money  with 
him." 

"All  the  worse  for  mam." 

"Abner,"  said  Herbert,  after  a  pause,  during 
which  he  had  been  thinking  seriously,  "would  you 
mind  running  away  pretty  soon  ?" 


214  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"No,  bub;  I'm  ready  any  time.  Are  you  in  a 
hurry?" 

"You  see,  Abner,  I  don't  want  to  live  on  your 
mother.    She  isn's  rich " 

"No,  I  guess  not.  Ef  she  hadn't  married  sech  a 
good-for-nothin'  as  dad " 

"I  wouldn't  speak  so  of  your  father,  Abner." 

"Why  not?    Isn't  it  the  truth?    Dad's  no  grit. 
He  gits  drunk  whenever  he  has  a  chance.     Mam's, 
a   good,   hard-workin'   woman.      She'd   git   along 
well  enough  ef  she  was  alone." 

"At  any  rate,  she  can't  afford  to  board  me  for 
nothing.  So  I  am  ready  to  start  whenever  you  are, 
Abner." 

"Suppose  we  get  up  early  to-morror  and  start  ?"^ 

"How  early?" 

"Three  o'clock.  Mam  gets  up  at  five.  We  must 
be  on  the  road  before  that  time." 

"I'm  willing,  Abner.  You  must  wake  me  up  in 
time." 

"You'd  better  go  to  bed  early,  bub,  and  git  all 
the  sleep  you  can.     We'll  have  a  hard  day  to- 


HELPING  HIMSELF  215 


;  CHAPTER   XXXIII 

THE  JOURNEY  BEGINS 

"Wake  up,  there." 

The  little  boy  stirred  in  his  sleep,  and  finally 
opened  his  eyes.  By  the  faint  light  that  entered 
through  the  window,  he  saw  Abner  bending  over 
him. 

"What  is  it?"  he  asked,  drowsily. 

"The  kitchen  clock's  just  struck  three,"  whis- 
pered Abner.  "You  haven't  forgotten  that  we  are 
going  to  run  away,  have  you?" 

"I'll  get  right  up,"  said  Herbert,  rubbing  his 
eyes. 

In  two  minutes  the  boys  were  dressed  and  ready 
for  a  start.  It  had  taken  a  great  deal  longer  for 
Herbert  to  dress  at  home,  but  he  had  become  less 
particular  as  to  his  toilet  now. 

The  boys  took  their  shoes  in  their  hands,  and 
stole  out  in  their  stocking  feet.  As  they  passed  the 
door  of  the  room  in  which  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barton 
slept,  they  heard  the  deep  breathing  of  both,  and 
knew  that  they  were  not  likely  to  be  heard. 


2i6  HELPING   HIMSELF 

Outside  the  door  they  put  on  their  shoes,  and 
Vv'cre  now  ready  to  start. 

"Wait  a  minute,  bub,"  said  Abner. 

He  re-entered  the  house,  and  presently  came  out 
holding  half  a  loaf  In  his  hand. 

"That'll  do  for  our  breakfast,"  he  said.  "We 
won't  eat  it  now.  We'll  wait  till  five  o'clock.  Then 
we'll  be  hungry." 

By  five  o'clock  they  were  as  many  miles  on  their 
way.  They  had  reached  the  middle  of  the  next 
town. 

"Do  you  feel  tired,  bub?"  asked  Abner. 

"A  little.  I  feel  hungry.  Don't  you  think  we 
can  eat  the  bread  now  ?" 

"Yes,  we'd  better.     I  feel  kind  o'  gone  myself." 

They  sat  down  under  a  tree,  and  Abner  divided 
the  bread  fairly. 

"You  ought  to  have  more  than  I,"  protested 
Herbert.     "You're  bigger  than  I,  and  need  more." 

"Never  mind  that!  You'll  need  it  to  keep  up 
your  strength." 

Abner  was  not  naturally  unselfish,  but  he  was 
manly  enough  to  feel  that  he  ought  to  be  generous 
and  kind  to  a  boy  so  much  smaller,  and  he  felt  re- 
paid for  his  self-denial  by  noticing  the  evident 
relish  with  which  Herbert  ate  his  allowance  of 
bread,  even  to  the  smallest  crumb. 

They  found  a  spring,  which  yielded  them  a  cool, 
refreshing  draught,  and  soon  were  on  their  way 


HELPING   HIMSELF  217 

once  more.  They  had  proceeded  perhaps  two  miles 
further,  when  the  rumbling  of  wheels  was  heard 
behind  them,  and  a  farm  wagon  soon  came  up 
alongside.  The  driver  was  a  man  of  about  thirty — 
sunburned  and  roughly  clad. 

"Whoa,  there,"  he  said. 

The  horse  stopped. 

"Where  are  you  two  goin'?"  he  asked. 

"We're  travelin',"  answered  Abner,  noncom- 
mittally. 

"Where's  your  home?" 

"Some  ways  back." 

"Where  are  you  goin'?" 

"I'm  after  work,"  answered  Abner. 

"Well,  you'd  orter  be  a  good  hand  at  it.  You 
look  strong.    Is  that  little  feller  your  brother?" 

"No;  he's  my  cousin." 

Herbert  looked  up  in  surprise  at  this  avowal  of 
relationship,  but  he  thought  It  best  not  to  say  any- 
thing that  would  conflict  with  Abner's  statement. 

"Is  he  after  work,  too?"  asked  the  driver,  with  a 
smile. 

"No;  he's  goin'  to  his  father." 

"Where  does  he  live?" 

"Further  on." 

"Have  you  walked  fur?" 

"Pretty  fur." 

"Ef  you  want  to  ride,  I'll  give  you  a  lift  for  a 
few  miles." 


2i8  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"Thank  you,"  said  x'\bner,  prompt  to  accept  the 
offer.     "I'll  help  you  in,  bub." 

The  two  boys  took  their  seats  beside  the  driver, 
Herbert  being  in  the  middle.  The  little  boy  was 
really  tired,  and  he  found  it  very  pleasant  to  ride, 
instead  of  walking.  He  had  walked  seven  miles 
already,  and  that  was  more  than  he  had  ever  be- 
fore walked  at  one  time. 

They  rode  about  three  miles,  when  the  driver 
pulled  up  in  front  of  a  comfortable-looking  house. 

"This  is  where  I  stop,"  he  said.  "My  aunt  lives 
here,  and  my  sister  has  been  paying  her  a  visit. 
I've  come  to  take  her  home." 

The  front  door  was  opened,  and  his  aunt  and 
sister  came  out. 

"You're  Just  in  time  for  breakfast,  John,"  said 
his  aunt.  "Come  in  and  sit  down  to  the  table. 
Bring  in  the  boys,  too." 

"Come  in,  boys,"  said  the  young  man.  "I  guess 
you  can  eat  something,  can't  you?" 

"We've  had "  Herbert  began,  but  Abner 

checked  him. 

"Come  along,  bub,"  he  said.  "What's  a  bit  of 
bread?    I  ain't  half  full." 


HELPING  HIMSELF  219 


CHAPTER  XXIV 

MRS.   barton's  surprise 

'A  HEARTY  breakfast,  consisting  of  beefsteak, 
potatoes,  corn  bread,  fresh  butter  and  apple  sauce, 
made  Abner's  eyes  glisten,  for  he  had  never  in  his 
remembrance  sat  down  at  home  to  a  meal  equally 
attractive.  He  wielded  his  knife  and  fork  with  an 
activity  and  energy  which  indicated  thorough  en- 
joyment. Even  Herbert,  though  in  the  city  his 
appetite  had  been  delicate,  and  he  had  already 
eaten  part  of  a  loaf  of  bread,  did  excellent  justice 
to  the  good  things  set  before  him.  He  was  himself 
surprised  at  his  extraordinary  appetite,  forgetting 
the  stimulating  effect  of  a  seven-mile  walk. 

After  breakfast  they  set  out  again  on  their 
tramp.  At  sunset,  having  rested  several  hours  in 
the  middle  of  the  day,  they  had  accomplished 
twenty  miles.  Abner  could  have  gone  further,  but 
Herbert  was  well  tired  out.  They  obtained  per- 
mission from  a  friendly  farmer  to  spend  the  night 
in  his  barn,  and  retired  at  half-past  seven.  Mr. 
Reynolds  would  have  been  shocked  had  he  known 
that  his  little  son  was  compelled  to  sleep  on  a  pile 


220  HELPING   HIMSELF 

of  hay,  but  it  may  truthfully  be  said  that  Herbert 
had  seldom  slept  as  soundly  or  felt  more  refreshed. 

"How  did  you  sleep,  Abner?"  he  asked. 

"Like  a  top.    How  was  it  with  you,  bub  ?" 

"I  didn't  wake  up  all  night,"  answered  the  little 
boy. 

"I  wonder  what  dad  and  mam  thought  when 
they  found  us  gone?"  said  Abner,  with  a  grin. 

"Won't  they  feel  bad?" 

"Not  much,"  said  Abner.  "They  ain't  that  kind. 
I  reckon  it  won't  spoil  their  appetite." 

When  they  descended  from  the  haymow,  the 
farmer  was  milking  his  cows. 

"Well,  youngsters,"  he  said,  "so  you're  up  and 
dressed?" 

"Yes,  sir." 

"And  ready  for  breakfast,  I'll  be  bound." 

"I  reckon  I  should  feel  better  for  eatin',"  said 
Abner,  promptly. 

"Jest  you  wait  till  I  get  through  milkin',  and 
we'll  see  what  Mrs.  Wiggins  has  got  for  us." 

Abner  heard  these  words  with  joy,  for  he  was 
always  possessed  of  a  good  appetite. 

"I  say,  bub,  I'm  glad  I  run  away,"  he  remarked, 
aside,  to  Herbert.  "We  live  enough  sight  better 
than  we  did  at  home." 

Leaving  the  boys  to  pursue  their  journey,  we  will 
return  to  the  bereaved  parents,  and  inquire  how 
they  bore  their  loss. 


HELPING   HIMSELF  221 

When  Mrs.  Barton  rose  to  commence  the  labors 
of  the  day,  she  found  that  no  wood  was  on  hand 
for  the  kitchen  fire. 

"Abner's  gittin'  lazier  and  lazier,"  she  solilo- 
quized.   "I'll  soon  have  him  up." 

She  went  to  the  foot  of  the  stairs,  and  called 
"Abner !"  in  a  voice  by  no  means  low  or  gentle. 

There  was  no  answer. 

"That  boy  would  sleep  if  there  was  an  earth- 
quake !"  she  muttered.  "Come  down  here  and  split 
some  wood,  you  lazy  boy!"  she  cried,  still  louder. 

Again  no  answer. 

"He  hears,  fast  enough,  but  he  don't  want  to 
work.     I'll  soon  have  him  down." 

She  ascended  the  stairs,  two  steps  at  a  time,  and 
opened  the  door  of  her  son's  room. 

If  Abner  had  been  in  bed  his  mother  would  have 
pulled  him  out,  for  her  arm  was  vigorous,  but  the 
bed  was  empty. 

"Well,  I  vum!"  she  ejaculated,  in  surprise.  "Ef 
that  boy  isn't  up  already.  That's  a  new  wrinkle. 
And  the  little  boy  gone,  too.    What  can  It  mean  ?'" 

It  occurred  to  Mrs.  Barton  that  Abner  and  Her- 
bert might  have  got  up  early  to  go  fishing,  though 
she  had  never  known  him  to  make  so  early  a  start 
before. 

"I  reckon  breakfast'll  bring  'em  round,"  she  said 
to  herself.  "I  reckon  I  shall  have  to  split  the  wood 
myself." 


222  HELPING   HIMSELF 

In  half  an  hour  breakfast  was  ready.  It  was  of 
a  very  simple  character,  for  the  family  resources 
were  limited.  Mr.  Barton  came  downstairs,  and 
looked  discontentedly  at  the  repast  provided. 

"This  is  a  pretty  mea  nbreakfast,  Mrs.  B.,"  he 
remarked.    "Where's  your  meat  and  'taters?" 

"There's  plenty  of  'em  in  the  market,"  answered 
Mrs.  Barton. 

"Then,  why  didn't  you  buy  some?" 

"You  ought  to  know,  Joel  Barton.  You  give 
me  the  money,  and  I'll  see  that  you  have  a  good 
breakfast." 

"Where's  all  the  money  that  man  Ford  gave 
you?" 

"Where  is  it?  It's  eaten  up,  Mr.  Barton,  and 
you  did  your  share.  Ef  you'd  had  your  way,  you'd 
have  spent  some  of  the  money  for  drink." 

"Why  don't  he  send  you  some  more,  then?" 

"Ef  you  see  him  anywheres,  you'd  better  ask 
him.  It's  your  business  to  provide  me  with  money; 
you  can't  expect  one  boy's  board  to  support  the 
whole  family." 

"It's  strange  where  them  boys  are  gone,"  said 
Joel,  desirous  of  changing  the  subject.  "Like  as 
not,  they  hid  under  the  bed,  and  fooled  you." 

"Ef  they  did,  I'll  rout  'em  out,"  said  Mrs.  Bar- 
ton, who  thought  the  supposition  not  improbable. 

Once  more  she  ascended  the  stairs  and  made  an 
irruption  into  the  boy's  chamber.     She  lifted  the 


HELPING   HIMSELF  223, 

quilt,  and  peered  under  the  bed.  But  there  were 
no  boys  there.  Looking  about  the  room,  however, 
she  discovered  something  else.  On  the  mantel- 
piece was  a  scrap  of  paper,  which  appeared  to  be 
so  placed  as  to  invite  attention. 

"What's  that?"  said  Mrs.  Barton  to  herself. 

A  moment  later  she  was  descending  the  staircase 
more  rapidly  than  she  had  gone  up  just  before. 

"Look  at  that,"  she  exclaimed,  holding  out  a 
scrap  of  paper  to  Joel  Barton. 

"I  don't  see  nothin'  but  a  bit  of  paper,"  said  her 
husband. 

"Don't  be  a  fool !    Read  what  it  is." 

"Read  it  aloud.    I  ain't  got  my  specks." 

"The  boys  have  run  away.  Abner  writ  it.  Listen 
to  this." 

Rudely  written  on  the  paper,  for  Abner  was  by 
no  means  a  skillful  penman,  were  these  words : 

"Bub  and  I  have  runned  away.  You  needn't 
worry.  I  reckon  we  can  get  along.  We're  going 
to  make  our  fortunes.  When  we're  rich,  we'll  come 
back.  Abner." 

"What  do  you  think  of  that,  Joel  Barton?"  de- 
manded his  wife. 

Joel  shrugged  his  shoulders. 

"I  shan't  worry  much,"  he  said.  "They'll  be 
back  by  to-morrer,  likely." 

"Then  you'll  have  to  split  some  wood  to-day, 


224  HELPING   HIMSELF 

Joel.  You  can't  expect  a  delicate  woman  like  me 
to  do  such  rough  work." 

"You're  stronger'n  I  be,  Mrs.  B." 

"Perhaps  you'll  find  I  am  if  you  don't  go  to 
work." 

"I'll  do  it  this  afternoon." 

"All  right.  Then  we'll  have  dinner  In  the  even- 
in'.    No  wood,  no  dinner." 

"Seems  to  me  you're  rather  hard  on  me,  Mrs.  B. 
I  don't  feel  well." 

"Nor  you  won't  till  you  give  up  drinkin'." 

Much  against  his  will,  Mr.  Barton  felt  com- 
pelled by  the  stress  of  circumstances  to  do  the  work 
expected  of  him.  It  made  him  feel  angry  with 
Abner,  whom  he  did  not  miss  for  any  other  reason. 

"I'll  break  that  boy's  neck  when  he  comes  back," 
he  muttered.  "It's  a  shame  to  leave  all  this  work 
for  his  poor,  old  dad." 

To-morrow  came,  but  the  boys  did  not.  A  week 
slipped  away,  and  still  they  were  missing.  Mrs. 
Barton  was  not  an  affectionate  mother,  but  it  did 
seem  lonesome  without  Abner.  As  for  Herbert, 
she  did  not  care  for  his  absence.  If  Willis  Ford 
did  not  continue  to  pay  his  board,  she  felt  that  she 
would  rather  have  him  away. 

On  the  sixth  day  after  the  departure  of  the  boys 
there  came  a  surprise  for  Mrs.  Barton. 

As  she  was  at  work  in  the  kitchen,  she  heard  a 
loud  knock  at  the  door. 


HELPING   HIMSELF  225 

"Can  It  be  Abner  ?"  she  thought.  "He  wouldn't 
knock." 

She  went  to  the  door,  however,  feeling  rather 
curious  as  to  who  could  be  her  visitor,  and  on  open- 
ing It  started  In  surprise  to  see  Willis  Ford. 

"Mr.  Ford !"  she  ejaculated. 

"I  thought  I  would  make  you  a  call,"  answered 
Ford.     "How's  the  boy  getting  along?" 

"If  you  mean  the  boy  you  left  here,"  she  an- 
swered, composedly,  "he's  run  away,  and  took  my 
boy  with  him." 

"Run  away!"  ejaculated  Ford,  in  dismay. 

"Yes;  he  made  tracks  about  a  week  ago.  He 
and  my  Abner  have  gone  off  to  make  their  for- 
tunes." 

"Why  didn't  you  take  better  care  of  him,  wom- 
an?" exclaimed  Ford,  angrily.  "It's  your  fault, 
his  running  away  I" 

"Look  here.  Ford,"  retorted  Mrs.  Barton; 
"don't  you  sass  me,  for  I  won't  stand  It.  Ef  vc 
hadn't  been  for  you,  Abner  would  be  at  home 
now." 

"I  didn't  mean  to  offend  you,  my  dear  Mrs.  Bar- 
ton," said  Ford,  seeing  that  he  had  made  a  false 
step.  "Tell  me  all  you  can,  and  I'll  see  if  I  can't 
get  the  boys  back." 

"Now  you're  talkin',"  said  Mrs.  Barton, 
smoothing  her  ruffled  plumage.  "Come  into  the 
house,  and  I'll  tell  you  all  I  know." 


226  HELPING   HIMSELF 


CHAPTER  XXXV 

HERBERT   BREAKS   DOWN 

"I  don't  think  I  can  walk  any  further,  Abner. 
I  feel  sick,"  faltered  Herbert. 

Abner,  who  had  been  v/alking  briskly,  turned 
round  to  look  at  his  young  companion.  Herbert 
was  looking  very  pale,  and  had  to  drag  one  foot 
after  the  other.  Day  after  day  he  had  tried  to 
keep  up  with  Abner,  but  his  strength  was  far  in- 
ferior to  that  of  the  other  boy,  and  he  had  finally 
broken  down. 

"You  do  look  sick,  bub,"  said  Abner,  struck  by 
Herbert's  pallid  look.  "Was  I  walking  too  fast 
for  you?" 

"I  feel  very  weak,"  said  Herbert.  "Would  you 
mind  stopping  a  little  while?  I  should  like  to  lie 
under  a  tree  and  rest." 

"All  right,  bub.    There's  a  nice  tree." 

"Don't  you  feel  tired,  Abner?" 

"No;  I  feel  as  strong  as  hearty  as  a  horse." 

"You  are  bigger  than  I  am.  I  guess  that  is  the 
reason." 

Abner  was  a  rough  boy,  but  he  showed  unusual 


HELPING   HIMSELF  227 

gentleness  and  consideration  for  the  little  boy, 
whose  weakness  appealed  to  his  better  nature.  He 
picked  out  a  nice,  shady  place  for  Herbert  to  re- 
eline  upon,  and,  taking  off  his  coat,  laid  it  down  for 
a  pillow  on  which  his  young  companion  might  rest 
his  head. 

"There,  bub;  I  reckon  you'll  feel  better  soon," 
he  said. 

"I  hope  so,  Abner.     I  wish  I  was  as  strong  as 


vou  are." 


"So  do  I.  I  reckon  I  was  born  tough.  I  was 
brought  up  different  from  you." 

"I  wish  I  were  at  home,"  sighed  Herbert.  "Is 
it  a  long  way  from  here?" 

"I  reckon  it  is,  but  I  don't  know,"  answered 
Abner,  whose  geographical  notions  were  decidedly 
hazy. 

An  hour  passed,  and  still  Herbert  lay  almost 
motionless,  as  if  rest  were  a  luxury,  with  his  eyes 
fixed  thoughtfully  upon  the  clouds  that  could  be 
seen  through  the  branches  floating  lazily  above. 

"Don't  you  feel  any  better,  bub?"  asked  Abner. 

"I  feel  better  while  I  am  lying  here,  Abner." 

"Don't  you  feel  strong  enough  to  walk  a  little 
further?" 

"Must  I?"  asked  Herbert,  sighing.  "It  is  so 
nice  to  lie  here." 

"I  am  afraid  we  shall  never  get  to  New  York  if 
we  don't  keep  goin'." 


228  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"I'll  try,"  said  Herbert,  and  he  rose  to  his  feet, 
but  he  only  staggered  and  became  very  white. 

"I  am  afraid  I  need  to  rest  a  little  more,"  he 
said. 

"All  right,  bub.    Take  your  time." 

More  critically  Abner  surveyed  his  young  com- 
panion. He  was  not  used  to  sickness  or  weakness, 
but  there  was  something  in  the  little  boy's  face  that 
startled  him. 

"I  don't  think  you're  fit  to  walk  any  further  to- 
day," he  said.  "I  wish  we  had  some  good  place  to 
stay." 

At  this  moment  a  carriage  was  seen  approach- 
ing. It  was  driven  by  a  lady  of  middle  age,  with  a 
benevolent  face.  Her  attention  was  drawn  to  the 
two  boys,  and  especially  to  Herbert.  Her  experi- 
enced eyes  at  once  saw  that  he  was  sick. 

She  halted  her  horse. 

"What  is  the  matter  with  your  brother?"  she 
said  to  Abner. 

"I  reckon  he's  tuckered  out,"  said  Abner,  tacitly 
admitting  the  relationship.  "We've  been  travelin' 
for  several  days.    He  ain't  so  tough  as  I  am," 

"He  looks  as  if  he  were  going  to  be  sick.  Have 
you  sny  friends  near  here?" 

"No,  ma'am.  The  nighest  is  over  a  hundred 
miles  off." 

The  lady  reflected  a  moment.  Then  she  said: 
"I  think  you  had  better  come  to  my  house.     My 


HELPING  HIMSELF  229 

brother  Is  a  doctor.     He  will  look  at  your  little 
brother  and  see  what  can  be  done  for  him." 

"I  should  like  it  very  much,"  said  Abner,  "but 
we  haven't  got  any  money  to  pay  for  doctors  and 
sich." 

"I  shan't  present  any  bill,  nor  will  my  brother," 
said  the  lady,  smiling.  "Do  you  think  you  can  help 
him  into  the  carriage?" 

"Oh,  yes,  ma'am." 

Abner  helped  Herbert  into  the  carriage,  and 
then,  by  Invitation,  got  in  himself. 

"May  I  drive?"  he  asked,  eagerly. 

"Yes,  if  you  like." 

The  kind  lady  supported  with  her  arm  Herbert's 
drooping  head,  and  so  they  drove  on  for  a  mile, 
when  she  indicated  that  they  were  to  stop  in  front 
of  a  large,  substantial,  square  house,  built  after  the 
New  England  style. 

Herbert  was  taken  out,  and,  after  Abner  helped 
him  upstairs,  into  a  large,  square  chamber,  with 
four  windows. 

"What  is  his  name?"  asked  the  lady. 

"Herbert." 

"And  yours?" 

"Abner." 

"He  had  better  lie  down  on  the  bed,  and,  as  soon 
as  my  brother  comes,  I  will  send  him  up." 

Herbert  breathed  a  sigh  of  satisfaction,  as  he 
reclined  on  the  comfortable  bed,  which  was  more 


230  HELPING   HIMSELF 

like  the  one  he  slept  in  at  home  than  the  rude,  straw 
bed  which  he  had  used  when  boarding  with  Mr, 
and  Mrs.  Barton. 

Half  an  hour  passed,  and  the  doctor  came  Into 
the  room,  and  felt  Herbert's  pulse. 

"The  boy  is  tired  out,"  he  said.  "That  is  all. 
His  strength  has  been  exhausted  by  too  severe  phy- 
sical effort." 

"What  shall  we  do  to  bring  him  round?"  asked 
his  sister. 

"Rest  and  nourishing  food  are  all  that  is  re- 
quired." 

"Shall  we  keep  him  here?  Have  you  any  objec- 
tion?" 

"I  should  object  to  letting  him  go  in  his  present 
condition.    He  will  be  a  care  to  you,  Emily." 

"I  shall  not  mind  that.  We  shall  have  to  keep 
the  other  boy,  too." 

"Certainly.    There's  room  enough  for  both." 

When  Abner  was  told  that  for  a  week  to  come 
they  were  to  stay  in  Dr.  Stone's  comfortable  house, 
his  face  indicated  his  satisfaction. 

"Ef  you've  got  any  chores  to  do,  ma'am,"  he 
said,  "I'll  do  'em.  I'm  strong,  and  not  afraid  to 
work." 

"Then  I  will  make  you  very  useful,"  said  Miss 
Stone,  smiling. 

The  next  day,  as  she  was  sitting  in  Herbert's 


HELPING   HIMSELF  231 

chamber,  she  said :  "Herbert,  you  don't  look  at  all 
like  your  brother." 

"Do  you  mean  Abner,  Miss  Stone?"  Herbert 
asked. 

"Yes;  have  you  any  other  brother?" 

"Abner  is  not  my  brother  at  all." 

"How,  then,  do  you  happen  to  be  traveling  to- 
gether?" 

"Because  we've  both  run  away." 

"I  am  sorry  to  hear  that.  I  don't  approve  of 
boys  running  away.    Where  do  you  live?" 

"In  New  York." 

"In  New  York  1"  repeated  Miss  Stone,  much  sur- 
prised. "Surely,  you  have  not  walked  from  there?" 

"No,  Miss  Stone;  I  was  stolen  from  my  home  in 
New  York  about  a  month  ago,  and  left  at  Abner's 
house.  It  was  a  poor  cabin,  and  very  different 
from  anything  I  was  accustomed  to.  I  did  not  like 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barton ;  but  Abner  was  always  kind 
to  me." 

"Is  your  father  living?"  asked  Miss  Stone,  who 
had  become  interested. 

"Yes;  he  is  a  broker." 

"And  no  doubt  you  have  a  nice  home?" 

"Yes,  very  nice.  It  is  a  brownstone  house  up- 
town.   I  wonder  whether  I  shall  ever  see  it  again  ?" 

"Surely  you  will.  I  am  surprised  that  you  have 
not  written  to  tell  your  father  where  you  are.  He 
must  be  feeling  very  anxious  about  you." 


232  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"I  did  write,  asking  him  to  send  me  money  to 
come  home.  Abner  was  going  with  me.  But  no 
answer  came  to  my  letter." 

"That  is  strange.  Your  father  can't  have  re- 
ceived the  letter." 

"So  I  think,  Miss  Stone;  but  I  directed  it  all 
right." 

"Do  you  think  any  one  would  intercept  It?" 

"Mrs.  Estabrook  might,"  said  Herbert,  after  a 
pause  for  consideration. 

"Who  is  she?" 

"The  housekeeper." 

"What  makes  you  think  so?  Didn't  she  like 
you?" 

"No;  besides,  it  was  her  nephew  who  carried 
me  off." 

Miss  Stone  asked  further  questions,  and  Herbert 
told  her  all  the  particulars  with  which  the  reader  is 
already  acquainted.  When  he  had  finished,  she 
said:  "My  advice  Is,  that  you  write  to  your  boy 
friend.  Grant  Thornton,  or  tell  me  what  to  write, 
and  I  will  write  to  him.  His  letters  will  not  be 
likely  to  be  tampered  with." 

"I  think  that  will  be  a  good  idea,"  said  Herbert; 
"Grant  will  tell  papa,  and  then  he'll  send  for  me." 

Miss  Stone  brought  her  desk  to  the  bedside,  and 
wrote  a  letter  to  Grant  at  Herbert's  dictation.  This 
letter  she  sent  to  the  village  postofdce  immediately 
by  Abner. 


HELPING  HIMSELF  233, 


CHAPTER  XXXVI 

GRANT  RECEIVES  A  LETTER 

Mr.  Reynolds  had  spared  no  expense  m  his  ef- 
forts to  obtain  tidings  of  his  lost  boy.  None  of  his 
agents,  however,  had  succeeded  in  gaining  the 
smallest  clew  to  Herbert's  whereabouts.  Through 
the  public  press  the  story  had  been  widely  dissemi- 
nated, and  in  consequence  the  broker  began  to  re- 
ceive letters  from  various  points,  from  persons  pro- 
fessing to  have  seen  such  a  boy  as  the  one  described. 
One  of  these  letters  came  from  Augusta,  Ga.,  and 
impressed  Mr.  Reynolds  to  such  an  extent  that  he 
decided  to  go  there  In  person,  and  see  for  himself 
the  boy  of  whom  his  correspondent  wrote. 

The  day  after  he  started  Grant,  on  approaching 
the  house  at  the  close  of  business,  fell  in  with  the 
postman,  just  ascending  the  steps. 

"Have  you  got  a  letter  for  me?"  he  asked. 

*'I  have  a  letter  for  Grant  Thornton,"  was  the 
reply. 

"That  is  my  name,"  said  Grant. 

He  took  the  letter,  supposing  it  to  be  from  home„. 


^34  HELPING   HIMSELF 

He  was  surprised  to  find  that  It  had  a  Western 
postmark.  He  was  more  puzzled  by  the  feminine 
handwriting. 

"Have  you  heard  anything  from  the  little  boy?" 
asked  the  postman,  for  Mr.  Reynolds'  loss  was  well 
known. 

Grant  shook  his  head. 

"Nothing  definite,"  he  said.  "Mr.  Reynolds  has 
gone  to  Georgia  to  follow  up  a  clew.'* 

"Two  weeks  since,"  said  the  postman,  "I  left  a 
letter  here  dated  at  Scipio,  111.  It  was  In  a  boy's 
handwriting.  I  thought  it  might  be  from  the  lost 
boy." 

"A  letter  from  Scipio,  In  a  boy's  handwriting!" 
repeated  Grant,  surprised.  "Mr.  Reynolds  has 
shown  me  all  his  letters.  He  has  received  none 
from  there." 

"I  can't  understand  It.  I  left  It  here,  I  am  posi- 
tive of  that." 

"At  what  time  In  the  day?"  asked  Grant, 
quickly. 

"About  eleven  o'clock  In  the  forenoon." 

"Can  you  tell  to  whom  you  gave  It?" 

"To  the  servant." 

"It  Is  very  strange,"  said  Grant,  thoughtfully. 
^'And  It  was  In  a  boy's  handwriting?" 

"Yes;  the  address  was  In  a  round,  schoolboy 
hand.  The  servant  couldn't  have  lost  It,  could 
5he?" 


HELPING  HIMSELF  235 

"No ;  Sarah  is  very  careful." 

"Well,  I  must  be  going." 

By  this  time  Grant  had  opened  the  letter.  He 
had  glanced  rapidly  at  the  signature,  and  his  face 
betrayed  excitement. 

"This  is  from  Herbert,"  he  said.  "You  may 
listen,  if  you  like." 

He  rapidly  read  the  letter,  which  in  part  was  as 
follows  ; 

"Dear  Grant — I  write  to  you,  or  rather  I  have 
asked  Miss  Stone,  who  is  taking  care  of  me,  to  do 
so,  because  I  wrote  to  papa  two  weeks  since,  and  I 
am  afraid  he  did  not  get  the  letter,  for  I  have  had 
no  answer.  I  wrote  from  the  town  of  Scipio,  in 
Illinois " 

"Just  what  I  said,"  interrupted  the  postman. 

"I  wrote  that  Mr.  Ford  had  carried  me  away 
and  brought  me  out  West,  where  he  put  me  to 
board  in  a  poor  family,  where  I  had  scarcely 
enough  to  eat.  Mr.  Barton  had  one  son,  Abner, 
who  treated  me  well,  and  agreed  to  run  away  with 
me  to  New  York,  if  we  could  get  money  from 
papa.  But  we  waited  and  waited,  and  no  letter 
came.  So  at  last  we  decided  to  run  away  at  any 
rate,  for  I  was  afraid  Mr.  Ford  would  come  back 
and  take  me  somewhere  else.    I  can't  tell  you  much 


236  HELPING   HIMSELF 

about  the  journey,  except  that  we  walked  most  of 
the  way,  and  we  got  very  tired — or,  at  least,  I  did, 
for  I  am  not  so  strong  as  Abner— till  I  broke  down. 
I  am  stopping  now  at  the  house  of  Dr.  Stone,  who 
is  very  kind,  and  so  is  his  sister,  who  is  writing  this 
letter  for  me.  Will  you  show  papa  this  letter,  and 
ask  him  to  send  for  me,  if  he  cannot  come  himself? 
I  do  so  long  to  be  at  home  once  more.  I  hope  he 
will  come  before  Willis  Ford  finds  me  out.  I  think 
he  has  a  spite  against  papa,  and  that  is  why  he  stole 
me  away.  lYour  affectionate  friend, 

"Herbert  Reynolds.'^ 

"Please  say  nothing  about  this,"  said  Grant  to 
the  postman.  "I  don't  want  it  known  that  this  let- 
ter has  come." 

"What  will  you  do?" 

"I  shall  start  for  the  West  myself  to-night." 

"Mrs.  Estabrook  intercepted  that  letter,"  said 
Grant  to  himself.    "I  am  sure  of  It." 


HELPING  HIMSELF  237 


CHAPTER  XXXVII 

WILLIS    FORD   FINDS  THE   RUNAWAYS 

"I  SHALL  be  absent  for  a  few  days,  Mrs.  Esta- 
brook,"  said  Grant  to  the  housekeeper,  as  he  en- 
tered the  house. 

"Where  are  you  going?"  she  inquired. 

"I  can't  tell  you  definitely." 

"Hadn't  you  better  wait  till  Mr.  Reynolds  gets 
back?" 

"No;  business  is  not  very  pressing  In  the  office, 
and  I  can  be  spared." 

The  housekeeper  concluded  that  Grant  was  go- 
ing to  Colebrook,  and  did  not  connect  his  journey 
with  the  lost  boy. 

"Oh,  well,  I  suppose  you  understand  your  own 
business  best.  Herbert  will  miss  you  if  he  finds  you 
away  when  his  father  brings  him  back." 

"Do  you  think  he  will?"  asked  Grant,  eyeing  the 
housekeeper  sharply. 

"I'm  sure  I  don't  know.  I  suppose  he  expects 
to,  or  he  would  not  have  traveled  so  far  in  search 
of  him." 


238  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"Shall  you  be  glad  to  see  him  back,  Mrs.  Esta- 
brook?" 

"Of  course!  What  makes  you  doubt  it?"  de- 
manded the  housekeeper,  sharply. 

"I  thought  you  didn't  like  Herbert." 

"I  wasn't  always  petting  him.  It  isn't  in  my  way 
to  pet  boys." 

"Do  you  often  hear  from  Willis  Ford?" 

"That  is  my  business,"  answered  Mrs.  Esta- 
brook,  sharply.    "Why  do  you  ask?" 

"I  was  wondering  whether  he  knew  that  Her- 
bert had  been  abducted." 

"That  is  more  than  we  know.  Very  likely  the 
boy  ran  away." 

Grant  called  on  the  cashier  at  his  private  resi- 
dence, confided  to  him  his  plan,  and  obtained  a  sum 
of  money  for  traveling  expenses.  He  left  the 
Grand  Central  Depot  by  the  evening  train,  and  by 
morning  was  well  on  his  way  to  Chicago. 

Meanwhile  Willis  Ford  had  left  no  stone  un- 
turned to  obtain  news  of  the  runaways.  This  he 
did  not  find  difficult,  though  attended  with  delay. 
He  struck  the  right  trail,  and  then  had  only  to  in- 
quire, as  he  went  along,  whether  two  boys  had  been 
seen,  one  small  and  delicate,  the  other  large  and 
well-grown,  wandering  through  the  country.  Plenty 
had  seen  the  two  boys,  and  told  him.  so. 

"Are  they  your  sons,  mister?"  asked  a  laborer  of 
whom  he  inquired. 


HELPING   HIMSELF  239 

"Not  both  of  them — only  the  smaller,"  an- 
swered Ford,  with  unblushing  falsehood. 

"And  what  made  them  run  away  now?" 

"My  son  probably  did  not  like  the  boarding 
place  I  selected  for  him." 

"Why  didn't  he  write  to  you?" 

"He  didn't  know  where  to  direct." 

"Who  is  the  other  lad?" 

"The  son  of  the  man  I  placed  him  with.  I  think 
he  may  have  induced  Sam  to  run  away." 

Finally  Ford  reached  Claremont,  the  town  where 
the  boys  had  actually  found  refuge.  Here  he  learn- 
ed that  two  boys  had  been  taken  in  by  Dr.  Stone, 
answering  to  the  description  he  gave.  One,  the 
younger  one,  had  been  sick,  but  now  was  better. 
This  information  he  obtained  at  the  hotel. 

Ford's  eyes  sparkled  with  exultation.  He  had 
succeeded  in  his  quest,  and  once  more  Herbert  was 
In  his  hands,  or  would  be  very  scon. 

He  inquired  the  way  to  Dr.  Stone's.  Everybody 
knew  where  the  doctor  lived,  and  he  had  no  trouble 
in  securing  the  information  he  sought.  Indeed, 
before  he  reached  the  house,  he  caught  sight  of 
Abner,  walking  In  the  same  direction  with  himself, 
but  a  few  rods  ahead. 

He  quickened  his  pace,  and  laid  his  hand  on  the 
boy's  shoulder. 

Abner  turned,  and  an  expression  of  dismay  over- 
spread his  face. 


240  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"Ha,  my  young  friend !  I  see  that  you  remeni" 
ber  me,"  said  Ford,  ironically. 

"Well,  what  do  you  want?"  asked  Abner,  sul- 
lenly. 

"You  know  well  enough.  I  want  the  boy  you 
have  persuaded  to  run  away  with  you." 

"I  didn't  persuade  him." 

"Never  mind  about  quibbling.  I  know  where 
the  boy  is,  and  I  mean  to  have  him." 

"Do  you  want  me,  too?" 

"No;  I  don't  care  where  you  go." 

"I  reckon  Herbert  won't  go  with  you." 

"And  I  reckon  he  will.  That  is  Dr.  Stone's^ 
isn't  it?  Never  mind  answering.  I  know  well 
enough  it  is." 

"Fle'll  have  bub  sure,"  said  Abner,  disconsolate- 
ly. "But  I'll  follow  'em,  and  I'll  get  him  away,  as 
sure  as  my  name's  Abner  Barton.'* 


HELPING  HIMSELF  24  ^ 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII 

FORD  TAKES  A  BOLD  STEP,  BUT  FAILS 

"I  WISH  to  see  Miss  Stone,"  said  Willis  Ford,  to 
the  servant. 

"I'll  tell  her.    What  name  shall  I  say?" 

"Never  mind  about  the  name.  I  wish  to  see  her 
on  business  of  importance." 

"I  don't  like  his  looks,"  thought  the  maid. 
"Shure  he  talks  as  if  he  was  the  boss." 

She  told  Miss  Stone,  however,  that  a  gentleman 
wished  to  see  her,  who  would  not  tell  his  name. 

Miss  Stone  was  in  Herbert's  chamber,  and  the 
boy — now  nearly  well,  quite  well,  in  fact,  but  for  a 
feeling  of  languor  and  weakness — heard  the  mes- 
sage, 

"What  Is  he  like?"  he  asked,  anxiously. 

"He's  slender  like,  with  black  hair  and  a  black 
mustache,  and  he  talks  like  he  was  the  master  of 
the  house." 

"I  think  it  is  Willis  Ford,"  said  Herbert,  turning 
pale. 

"The  man  who  abducted  you?"  ejaculated  Miss 
Stone. 


242  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"Yes,  the  same  man.  Don't  let  him  take  me 
away,"  implored  Herbert. 

"I  wish  my  brother  were  here,"  said  Miss  Stone, 
anxiously. 

"Won't  he  be  here  soon?" 

"I  am  afraid  not.  He  has  gone  on  a  round  of 
calls.  Bridget,  tell  the  young  man  I  will  be  down 
directly." 

Five  minutes  later  Miss  Stone  descended,  and 
found  Willis  Ford  fuming  with  impatience. 

"I  am  here,  sir,"  she  said,  coldly.  "I  understand 
you  wish  to  see  me." 

"Yes,  madam;  will  you  answer  me  a  few  ques- 
tions?" 

"Possibly.    Let  me  hear  what  they  are." 

"You  have  a  boy  in  this  house,  named  Herbert 
Reynolds?" 

"Yes." 

"A  boy  who  ran  away  from  Mr.  Joel  Barton, 
with  whom  I  placed  him?" 

"What  right  had  you  to  place  him  anywhere, 
Mr.  Ford?"  demanded  the  lady. 

"That's  my  business.  Permit  me  to  say  that  it 
is  no  affair  of  yours." 

"I  judge  differeAtly.  The  boy  is  sick  and  under 
my  charge." 

"I  am  his  natural  guardian,  madam," 

"Who  made  you  so,  Mr.  Ford?" 


HELPING   HIMSELF  243 

"I  shall  not  argue  that  question.  It  Is  enough 
that  I  claim  him  as  my  cousin  and  ward." 

"Your  cousin?" 

"Certainly.  That  doubtless  conflicts  with  what 
he  has  told  you.    He  was  always  a  liar." 

"His  story  is,  that  you  beguiled  him  from  his 
home  in  New  York,  and  brought  him  against  his 
will  to  this  part  of  the  country." 

"And  you  believe  him?"  sneered  Ford. 

"I  do." 

"It  matters  little  whether  you  do  or  not.  He  Is 
my  sister's  child,  and  is  under  my  charge.  I  thought 
fit  to  place  him  with  Mr.  Joel  Barton,  of  Sclpio,  but 
the  boy,  who  is  flighty,  was  induced  to  run  away 
with  Barton's  son,  a  lazy,  shiftless  fellow." 

"Supposing  this  to  be  so,  Mr.  Ford,  what  is  your 
object  in  calling?" 

"To  reclaim  him.  It  does  not  suit  me  to  leave 
him  here." 

Ford's  manner  was  so  Imperative  that  Miss 
Stone  became  alarmed. 

"The  boy  is  not  fit  to  travel,"  she  said.  "Wait 
till  my  brother  comes,  and  he  will  decide,  being  a 
physician,  whether  it  is  safe  to  have  him  go." 

"Madam,  this  subterfuge  will  not  avail,"  said 
Ford,  rudely.  "I  will  not  wait  till  your  brother 
comes.  I  prefer  to  take  the  matter  Into  my  own 
hands." 

He  pressed  forward  to  the  door  of  the  room, 


244  HELPING   HIMSELF 

and  before  Miss  Stone  could  prevent  It,  was  on  his 
way  upstairs.  She  followed  as  rapidly  as  she  could, 
but  before  she  could  reach  him.  Ford  had  dashed 
into  the  room  where  Herbert  lay  on  the  bed. 

Herbert  was  stricken  with  terror  when  he  saw 
the  face  of  his  enemy. 

"I  see  you  know  me,"  said  Ford,  with  an  evil 
smile,  "Get  up  at  once,  and  prepare  to  go  with 
me." 

"Leave  me  here,  Mr.  Ford.  I  can't  go  with  you ; 
indeed,  I  can't,"  said  Herbert. 

"We'll  see  about  that,"  said  Ford.  "I  give  you 
five  minutes  to  rise  and  put  on  your  clothes.  If  you 
don't  obey  me,  I  will  flog  you." 

Looking  into  his  cruel  face,  Herbert  felt  that  he 
had  no  other  resource.  Trembling,  he  slipped  out 
of  bed,  and  began  to  draw  on  his  clothes.  He  felt 
helpless,  but  help  was  nearer  than  he  dreamed. 

"Mr.  Ford,  I  protest  against  this  high-handed 
proceeding,"  exclaimed  Miss  Stone,  indignantly,  as 
she  appeared  at  the  door  of  the  chamber.  "What 
right  have  you  to  go  over  my  house  without  per- 
mission?" 

"If  it  comes  to  that,"  sneered  Ford,  "what  right 
have  you  to  keep  my  ward  from  me?" 

"I  am  not  his  ward,"  said  Herbert,  quickly. 

"The  boy  Is  a  liar,"  exclaimed  Ford,  harshly. 

"Get  back  Into  the  bed,  Herbert,"  said  Miss 
Stone.    "This  man  shall  not  take  you  away." 


HELPING   HIMSELF  245 

"Perhaps  you  will  tell  me  how  you  are  going  to 
help  Itj"  retorted  Ford,  with  an  evil  smile. 

"If  my  brother  were  here " 

"But  your  brother  is  not  here,  and  if  he  were,  I 
would  not  allow  him  to  interfere  between  me  and 
my  cousin.  Herbert,  unless  you  continue  dressing, 
I  shall  handle  you  roughly." 

But  sounds  were  heard  upon  the  stairs,  and  Ford, 
as  well  as  Miss  Stone,  turned  their  eyes  to  the  door. 

The  first  to  enter  was  Abner. 

"Oh,  It's  you.  Is  it?"  said  Ford,  contemptuously. 

He  had  thought  it  might  be  Dr.  Stone,  whom  he 
was  less  inclined  to  face  than  he  professed.  - 

'Yes,  it  is.    What  are  you  doing  here?" 

'It  Is  none  of  your  business,  you  cub.  He's  got 
to  come  with  me." 

'Maybe  you  want  me,  too?" 

'I  wouldn't  take  you  as  a  gift." 

'Ho,  ho,"  laughed  Abner,  "I  reckon  you'd  find 
me  a  tough  customer.    You  won't  take  bub,  either." 

'Who  is  to  prevent  me  ?" 

'I  will !"  said  a  new  voice,  and  Grant  Thornton, 
who  had  fallen  in  v/Ith  Abner  outside,  walked 
quietly  into  the  room. 

Willis  Ford  started  back  in  dismay.  Grant  was 
the  last  person  he  expected  to  meet  here.  He  had 
no  Idea  that  any  one  of  the  boy's  home  friends  had 
tracked  him  this  far.  He  felt  that  he  was  defeated, 
but  he  hated  to  acknovvledge  it. 


246  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"How  are  you  going  to  prevent  me,  you  young 
whlppersnapper?"  he  said,  glaring  menacingly  at 
Grant. 

"Mr.  Willis  Ford,  unless  you  leave  this  room 
and  this  town  at  once,"  said  Grant,  firmly,  "I  will 
have  you  arrested.  There  is  a  local  officer  below 
whom  I  brought  with  me,  suspecting  your  object  in 
coming  here." 

"Oh,  Grant,  how  glad  I  am  to  see  you !  Is  papa 
with  you?"  exclaimed  Herbert,  overjoyed. 

"I  will  tell  you  about  it  soon,  Herbert." 

"You  won't  let  him  take  me  away?" 

"There  is  no  danger  of  that,"  said  Grant,  reas- 
suringly. "I  shall  take  you  home  to  New  York  as 
soon  as  this  good  lady  says  you  are  well  enough 
to  go." 

Ford  stood  gnawing  his  nether  lip.  If  it  had 
been  Mr.  Reynolds,  he  would  not  have  minded  so 
much ;  but  for  a  mere  boy,  like  Grant  Thornton,  to 
talk  with  such  a  calm  air  of  superiority  angered 
him. 

"Boy,"  he  said,  "it  sounds  well  for  you  to  talk  of 
arrest — you  who  stole  my  aunt's  bonds,  and  are  in- 
debted to  her  forbearance  for  not  being  at  this  mo- 
ment in  State's  prison." 

"Your  malicious  charge  does  not  aftect  me,  Mr. 
Ford,"  returned  Grant.  "It  was  proved  before 
you  left  New  York  that  you  were  the  thief,  and 
even  your  stepmother  must  have  admitted  it.    Mr. 


HELPING  HIMSELF  247; 

Reynolds  discharged  you  from  his  employment, 
and  this  Is  the  mean  revenge  you  have  taken — ^the 
abduction  of  his  only  son." 

"I  will  do  you  an  Injury  yet,  you  Impudent  boy," 
said  Ford,  furiously. 

"I  shall  be  on  my  guard,  Mr.  Ford,"  answered 
Grant.    "I  believe  you  capable  of  It." 

"Don't  you  think  you  had  better  leave  us,  sir?" 
said  Miss  Stone. 

"I  shall  take  my  own  time  about  going,"  he  an- 
swered, impudently. 

But  his  words  were  heard  by  Dr.  Stone,  who  had 
returned  sooner  than  he  anticipated,  and  was  al- 
ready at  the  door  of  the  room.  He  was  a  powerful 
man,  and  of  quick  temper.  His  answer  was  to 
seize  Ford  by  the  collar  and  fling  him  downstairs. 

"This  will  teach  you  to  be  more  polite  to  a  lady," 
he  said.  "Now,  what  does  all  this  mean,  and  who 
is  this  man?" 

The  explanation  was  given. 

"I  wish  I  had  been  here  before,"  said  the  doctor. 

"You  were  In  good  time,"  said  Grant,  smiling. 
"I  see  that  Herbert  has  found  powerful  friends." 

Willis  Ford,  angry  and  humiliated,  picked  him- 
self up,  but  did  not  venture  to  return  to  the  room 
he  had  left  so  Ignominiously.  Like  most  bullies,  he 
was  a  coward,  and  he  did  not  care  to  encounter  the 
doctor  again. 

Within  an  hour  Grant  telegraphed  to  the  broker 


248  HELPING   HIMSELF 

at  his  office:  "I  have  found  Herbert,  and  will 
start  for  New  York  with  him  to-morrow."  Mr. 
Reynolds  had  only  just  returned  from  his  fruitless 
Southern  expedition,  weary  and  dispirited.  But  he 
forgot  all  his  fatigue  when  he  read  this  message. 
"God  bless  Grant  Thornton!"  he  ejaculated. 


HELPING  HIMSELF  249; 


CHAPTER  XXXIX 

THE  housekeeper's  RETRIBUTION 

The  train  from  Chicago  had  just  reached  the 
Grand  Central  Depot.  From  the  parlor  car  de- 
scended two  boys  who  are  well, known  to  us,  Grant 
Thornton  and  Herbert  Reynolds. 

Herbert  breathed  a  sigh  of  satisfaction. 

"Oh,  Grant,"  he  said,  "how  glad  I  am  to  see 
New  York  once  more !  I  wonder  if  papa  knows  we 
are  to  come  by  this  train  ?" 

The  answer  came  speedily. 

The  broker,  who  had  just  espied  them,  hurried 
forward,  and  his  lost  boy  was  lifted  to  his  embrace. 

"Thank  God,  I  have  recovered  you,  my  dear 
son,"  he  exclaimed,  fervently. 

"You  must  thank  Grant,  too,  papa,"  said  the 
little  boy.  "It  was  he  who  found  me  and  prevented 
Mr.  Ford  stealing  me  again." 

Mr.  Reynolds  grasped  Grant's  hand  and  pressed 
it  warmly. 

"I  shall  know  how  to  express  my  gratitude  to 
Grant  In  due  time,"  he  said. 


250  HELPING   HIMSELF 

On  their  way  home  Grant  revealed  to  Mr.  Rey- 
nolds for  the  first  time  the  treachery  of  the  house- 
keeper, who  had  suppressed  Herbert's  letter  to  his 
father,  and  left  the  latter  to  mourn  for  his  son 
when  she  might  have  relieved  him  of  the  burden  of 
sorrow. 

As  Mr.  Reynolds  listened,  his  face  became  stern. 

"That  woman  is  a  viper!"  he  said.  "In  my 
house  she  has  enjoyed  every  comfort  and  every  con- 
sideration, and  in  return  she  has  dealt  me  this  foul 
blow.    She  will  have  cause  to  regret  it." 

When  they  entered  the  house  Mrs.  Estabrook 
received  them  with  false  smiles. 

"So  you  are  back  again.  Master  Herbert,"  she 
said.    "A  fine  fright  you  gave  us !" 

"You  speak  as  if  Herbert  went  away  of  his  own 
accord,"  said  the  broker^  sternly.  "You  probably 
know  better." 

"I  know  nothing,  sir,  about  it." 

"Then  I  may  inform  you  that  it  was  your  step- 
son, Willis  Ford,  who  stole  my  boy — a  noble  re- 
venge, truly,  upon  me  for  discharging  him." 

"I  don't  believe  it,"  said  the  housekeeper.  "I 
presume  it  is  your  office  boy  who  makes  this 
charge?"  she  added,  pressing  her  thin  lips  together. 

"There  are  others  who  are  cognizant  of  it,  Mrs. 
Estabrook.  Grant  succeeded  in  foiling  Mr.  Ford 
in  his  attempt  to  recover  Herbert,  who  had  run 
away  from  his  place  of  confinement,'* 


HELPING  HIMSELF  251 

"You  are  prejudiced  against  my  son,  Mr.  Rey- 
nolds," said  Mrs.  Estabrook,  her  voice  trembling 
with  anger. 

"Not  more  than  against  you,  Mrs.  Estabrook.  I 
have  a  serious  charge  to  bring  against  you." 

"What  do  you  mean,  sir?"  asked  the  house- 
keeper, nervously. 

"Why  did  you  suppress  the  letter  which  my  boy 
wrote  to  me  revealing  his  place  of  Imprisonment?" 

"I  don't  know  what  you  mean,  sir,"  she  an- 
swered, half  defiantly. 

"I  think  you  do." 

"Did  Master  Herbert  write  such  a  letter?" 

"Yes." 

"Then  It  must  have  miscarried." 

"On  the  contrary,  the  postman  expressly  declares 
that  he  delivered  It  at  this  house.  I  charge  you 
with  concealing  or  suppressing  it." 

"The  charge  Is  false.    You  can't  prove  it,  sir." 

"I  shall  not  attempt  to  do  so;  but  I  am  thor- 
oughly convinced  of  it.  After  this  act  of  treachery 
I  cannot  permit  you  to  spend  another  night  In  my 
house.  You  will  please  pack  at  once,  and  arrange 
for  a  removal." 

"I  am  entitled  to  a  month's  notice,  Mr.  Rey- 
nolds." 

"You  shall  have  a  month's  wages  In  lieu  of  it.  I 
would  as  soon  have  a  serpent  In  my  house." 

Mrs.  Estabrook  turned  pale.    She  had  never  ex- 


252  HELPING  HIMSELF 

pected  it  would  come  to  this.  She  thought  no  one 
would  ever  be  able  to  trace  the  suppressed  letter  to 
her.  She  was  not  likely  again  to  obtain  so  com- 
fortable and  desirable  a  position.  Instead  of  attri- 
buting her  ill  fortune  to  her  own  malice  and  evil 
doing,  she  chose  to  attribute  it  to  Grant. 

"I  am  to  thank  you  for  this,  Grant  Thornton," 
she  said,  in  sudden  passion.  "I  was  right  in  hating 
you  as  soon  as  I  first  saw  you.  If  ever  I  am  able  I 
will  pay  you  up  for  this." 

"I  don't  doubt  it,  Mrs.  Estabrook,"  said  Grant, 
quietly,  "but  I  don't  think  you  will  have  it  in  your 
power." 

She  did  not  deign  to  answer,  but  hurried  out  of 
the  room.     In  half  an  hour  she  had  left  the  house. 

"Now  I  can  breathe  freely,"  said  the  broker. 
"That  woman  was  so  full  of  malice  and  spite  that 
it  made  me  uncomfortable  to  feel  that  she  was  in 
the  house." 

"I  am  so  glad  that  she  has  gone,  papa,"  said 
Herbert. 

That  evening,  after  Herbert  had  gone  to  bed, 
Mr.  Reynolds  Invited  Grant  into  his  library. 

"My  boy,"  he  said,  "I  have  settled  accounts  with 
Mrs.  Estabrook;  now  I  want  to  settle  with  you." 

"Not  In  the  same  way,  I  hope,  sir,"  said  Grant. 

"Yes,  In  the  same  way,  according  to  your  deserts. 
You  have  done  me  a  service,  than  which  none  can 


HELPING   HIMSELF  253 

be  greater.  You  have  been  instrumental  in  restor- 
ing to  me  my  only  son." 

"I  don't  want  any  reward  for  that,  sir." 

"Perhaps  not;  but  I  owe  it  to  myself  to  see  that 
this  service  is  acknowledged.  I  shall  raise  your 
salary  to  fifteen  dollars  a  week." 

"Thank  you,  sir,"  said  Grant,  joyfully.  "How 
glad  my  mother  will  be." 

"When  you  tell  her  this,  you  may  also  tell  her 
that  I  have  deposited  on  your  account  in  the 
Bowery  Savings  Bank  the  sum  of  five  thousand 
dollars." 

"This  is  too  much,  Mr.  Reynolds,"  said  Grant, 
quite  overwhelmed.  "Why,  I  shall  feel  like  a  man 
of  fortune." 

"So  you  will  be  in  time,  if  you  continue  as  faith- 
ful to  business  as  in  the  past." 

"It  seems  to  me  like  a  dream,"  said  Grant. 

"I  will  give  you  a  week's  leave  of  absence  to  visit 
your  parents,  and  tell  them  of  your  good  fortune." 


THO^'flSHORNe 


254  HELPING  HIMSELF 


CHAPTER  XL 

CONCLUSION 

There  were  anxious  hearts  in  the  parsonage  at 
Colebrook.  For  some  weeks  the  minister  had 
shown  signs  of  overwork.  His  appetite  had  failed, 
and  he  seemed  weary  and  worn. 

"He  needs  change,"  said  the  doctor.  "A  run 
over  to  Europe  would  do  him  good.  He  has  no 
disease;  he  only  wants  change." 

"A  trip  to  Europe,"  said  Mr.  Thornton,  shaking 
his  head.  ''It  is  impossible.  It  has  been  the  dream 
of  my  life,  but  a  country  minister  could  not,  in  half 
a  dozen  years,  save  money  enough  for  that." 

"If  your  brother  Godfrey  would  lend  you  the 
money.  Grant  might,  in  time,  help  you  to  pay  it." 

Godfrey  never  had  forgiven  Grant  for  running 
counter  to  his  plans. 

"I  wish  I  could  spare  the  money  myself,  Mr. 
Thornton,"  said  the  doctor.  "Five  hundred  dollars 
would  be  sufficient,  and  It  would  make  a  new  man 
ot  you. 

"It  might  as  well  be  five  thousand,"  said  the  min- 


HELPING   HIMSELF  255 

ister,  shaking  his  head.  "No,  my  good  friend,  I 
must  toil  on  as  well  as  I  can,  and  leave  European 
trips  to  more  favored  men." 

It  was  noised  about  through  the  parish  that  the 
minister  was  sick,  and  the  doctor  recommended  a 
European  trip. 

"ItV  ridikilus,"  was  Deacon  Gridley's  comment. 
"I  work  harder  than  the  minister,  and  I  never  had 
to  go  to  Europe.  It's  just  because  it's  fashionable." 

"Mr.  Thornton  is  looking  pale  and  haggard," 
said  Mrs.  Gridley. 

"What  if  he  is?  He  ought  to  work  outdoors 
like  me.  Then  he'd  know  what  work  was.  Ac- 
cordin'  to  my  notion,  ministers  have  a  pooty  easy 
time." 

Mr.  Tudor  was  of  the  same  opinion. 

"It's  all  nonsense,  deacon,"  he  said.  "Father 
wanted  me  to  be  a  minister,  and  I'd  have  had  a 
good  deal  easier  time  if  I  had  followed  his  advice." 

"You  wouldn't  have  had  so  much  money,  Mr. 
Tudor,"  said  Miss  Lucretia  Spring,  who  heard  this 
remark. 

"Mebbe  not;  but  what  I've  got  I've  worked 
for." 

"For  my  part,  although  I  am  not  near  as  rich  as 
you  are,  I'd  give  twenty  dollars  toward  sending  the 
minister  abroad,"  said  kindly  Miss  Spring. 

"I  wouldn't  give  a  cent,"  said  Mr.  Tudor,  with 
emphasis. 


256  HELPING   HIMSELF 

"Nor  I,"  said  Deacon  Gridley.  "I  don't  believe 
in  humorin'  the  clergy." 

Saturday  came,  and  the  minister  was  worse.  It 
seemed  doubtful  if  he  would  be  able  to  officiate  the 
next  day.    No  wonder  he  became  dispirited. 

Just  before  supper  the  stage-  drove  up  to  the 
door,  and  Grant  jumped  out. 

"I  am  afraid  he  has  been  discharged,"  said  Mr. 
Thornton,  nervously. 

"He  does  not  look  like  it,"  said  Mrs.  Thornton, 
noticing  Grant's  beamiing  countenance. 

"What  is  the  matter  with  father?"  asked  Grant, 
stopping  short  as  he  entered. 

"He  is  not  feeling  very  well.  Grant.  He  has  got 
run  down." 

"What  does  the  doctor  say?" 

"He  says  your  father  ought  to  take  a  three- 
months  trip  to  Europe." 

"Which,  of  course,  is  impossible,"  said  Mr. 
Thornton,  smiling  faintly. 

"Not  if  your  brother  would  open  his  heart,  and 
lend  you  the  money." 

"He  would  not  do  it." 

"And  we  won't  ask  him,"  said  Grant,  quickly, 
"but  you  shall  go,  all  the  same,  father." 

"My  son,  it  would  cost  five  hundred  dollars." 

"And  for  twice  as  much,  mother,  could  go  with 
you ;  you  would  need  her  to  take  care  of  you.  Be- 
sides she  needs  a  change,  too." 


HELPING   HIMSELF  257 

"It  IS  a  pleasant  plan,  Grant;  but  we  must  not 
think  of  it." 

"That's  where  I  don't  agree  with  you.  You  and 
mother  shall  go  as  soon  as  you  like,  and  I  will  pay 
the  expenses." 

"Is  the  boy  crazy?"  said  the  minister. 

"I'll  answer  that  for  myself,  father.  I  have  five 
thousand  dollars  in  the  Bowery  Savings  Bank,  in 
New  York,  and  I  don't  think  I  can  spend  a  part  of 
it  better  than  in  giving  you  and  mother  a  European 
trip." 

Then  the  explanation  came,  and  with  some  diffi- 
culty the  minister  was  made  to  understand  that  the 
dream  of  his  life  was  to  be  realized,  and  that  he 
and  his  wife  were  really  going  to  Europe, 

"Well,  well !  who'd  have  thought  it?"  ejaculated 
Deacon  Gridley.  "That  boy  of  the  minister's  must 
be  plaguey  smart.  I  never  thought  he'd  be  so  suc- 
cessful. All  the  same,  it  seems  to  me  a  mighty  poor 
investment  to  spend  a  thousand  dollars  on  racin'  to 
Europe.  That  money  would  buy  quite  a  sizable 
farm." 

Others,  however,  less  narrow  in  their  notions, 
heartily  approved  of  the  European  trip.  When 
three  months  later  the  minister  came  home,  he  look- 
ed like  a  new  man.  His  eye  was  bright,  his  face 
bronzed  and  healthy,  his  step  elastic,  and  he  looked 
half  a  dozen  years  younger. 

"This  all  comes  of  having  a  good  son,"  he  said,. 


258  HELPING   HIMSELF 

smiling,  in  reply  to  congratulations,  "a  son  who,  in 
helping  himself,  has  been  alive  to  help  others." 


Half  a  dozen  years  have  passed.  Grant  Thorn- 
ton Is  now  a  young  man,  and  junior  partner  of  Mr. 
Reynolds.  He  has  turned  his  money  to  good  ac- 
count, and  Is  counted  rich  for  one  of  his  age.  He 
has  renewed  his  acquaintance  with  Miss  Carrie 
Clifton,  whom  he  met  for  the  first  time  as  a  sum- 
mer boarder  in  Colebrook,  and  from  their  intimacy 
it  wouldn't  be  surprising  if  Grant  should  some  day 
become  the  wealthy  jeweler's  son-in-law. 

Uncle  Godfrey  has  become  reconciled  to  Grant's 
following  his  own  course.  It  Is  easy  to  become 
reconciled  to  success. 

Willis  Ford  is  confined  in  a  penitentiary  In  a 
Western  State,  having  been  convicted  of  forgery, 
and  there  is  small  chance  of  his  amendment.  He 
has  stripped  his  stepmother  of  her  last  penny,  and 
she  is  compelled  to  live  on  the  charity  of  a  relative, 
who  accords  her  a  grudging  welcome,  and  treats 
her  with  scant  consideration.  The  bitterest  drop  in 
her  cup  of  humiliation  is  the  prosperity  of  Grant 
Thornton,  toward  whom  she  feels  a  fierce  and  vin- 
dictive hatred.  As  she  has  sown,  so  she  reaps. 
Malice  and  uncharitableness  seldom  bring  forth 
welcome  fruit. 

THE  END 


A*  L.  Burt's  Catalogue  of  Books  for 
Young  People  by  Popular  Writers,  52- 
58  Duane  Street,  New  York  >«   ^<   >< 

BOOKS  FOR  BOYS. 

Joe's  Luck:    A  Boy's  Adventures  in  California.    By, 

HoBATio  Aloer,  Jr.    13mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

Tbe  story  is  chock  full  of  stirring  incidents,  while  the  amnslng  situ- 
ations are  furnished  by  Joshua  Bickford,  from  Pumpkin  Collow,  and  the 
fellow  who  modestly  styles  himself  the  "Eip-tail  Boarer,  from  Pike  Co., 
Missouri."  Mr.  Aljrer  never  writes  a  poor  book,  and  "Joe's  Luck"  la  cer- 
tainly one  of  his  best. 

Tom  the  Bootblack;  or.   The  Eoad  to   Success.    By 

Horatio  Alger,  Jr.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

A  bright,  enterprising  lad  was  Tom  the  Bootblack.  He  was  not  at  all 
ashamed  of  his  humble  calling,  though  always  on  the  lookout  to  better 
himself.  The  lad  started  for  Cincinnati  to  look  up  his  heritage.  Mr. 
Grey,  the  uncle,  did  not  hesitate  to  employ  a  ruffian  to  kill  the  lad.  The 
plan  failed,  and  Gilbert  Grey,  once  Tom  the  bootblack,  came  into  a  com- 
fortable fortune.     This  la  one   of  Mr.   Alger's  best  stories. 

Dan  the  Newsboy.    By   Hoeatio   Alger,   Jk.    13mo, 

cloth,  illustrated,  price  81.00. 

Dan  Mordaunt  and  his  mother  live  in  a  poor  tenement,  and  the  lad  is 
pluckily  trying  to  make  ends  meet  by  selling  papers  in  the  streets  of  New 
York.  A  little  heiress  of  six  years  is  confided  to  the  care  of  the  Mor- 
daunts.  The  child  is  kidnapped  and  Dan  tracks  the  child  to  the  house 
where  she  is  hidden,  and  rescues  her.  The  wealthy  aunt  of  the  little 
heiress  is  so  delighted  with  Dan's  courage  and  many  good  qualities 
that   she   adopts   him   as   her   heir. 

Tony  the  Hero:     A    Brave    Boy's    Adventure  with  a 

Tramp.    By  Horatio  Algbb,  Jr.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

Tony,  a  sturdy  bright-eyed  boy  of  fourteen,  is  under  the  control  of 
Rudolph  Rugg,  a  thorough  rascal.  After  much  abuse  Tony  runs  away 
and  gets  a  job  as  stable  boy  in  a  country  hotel.  Tony  is  heir  to  a 
large  estate.  Rudolph  for  a  consideration  hunts  up  Tony  and  throws 
him  down  a  deep  well.  Of  course  Tony  escapes  from  the  fate  provided 
for  him,  and  by  a  brave  act,  a  rich  friend  secures  his  rights  and  Tony 
is    prosperous.     A    very    entertaining    book. 

The  Errand  Boy;  or,  How  Phil  Brent  Won  Success. 

By  Horatio  Alger,  Jr.    ISmo,  cloth  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

The  career  of  "The  Errand  Boy"  embraces  the  city  adventures  of  a 
•mart  country  lad.  Philip  was  brought  up  by  a  kind-hearted  innkeeper 
named  Brent.  The  death  of  Mrs.  Brent  paved  the  way  for  the  hero's 
subsequent  troubles.  A  retired  merchant  in  New  York  secures  him  the 
situation  of   errand   boy,    and   thereafter   stands   as  his  friend. 

Tom  Temple's  Career.    By  Hoeatio  Algee,  Je.     12mo, 

cloth,  illustrated,  price  f  1.00. 

Tom  Temple  is  a  bright,  self-reliant  lad.  He  leaves  Plympton  village 
to  seek  work  In  New  York,  whence  he  undertakes  an  Important  mission 
to  California.  Some  of  his  adventures  in  the  far  west  are  so  startling  that 
the  reader  will  scarcely  close  the  book  until  the  last  page  shall  have  been 
reached.     The  tale  Is  written  In  Mr.  Alger's  most  fascinating  style. 

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  the 
publisher.  A,  L,  BUKI,  52-58  DuaAa  Street.  Kew  York. 


2     '    A.  L.  BURT^S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

BOOKS  FOR  BOYS. 

Frank  Fowler,  the  Cash  Boy.    By  Hoeatio  Algee,  Jb. 

12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

Frank  Fowler,  a  poor  boy,  bravely  determines  to  make  a  living  for 
himself  and  his  foster-sister  Grace.  Going  to  Nevr  York  he  obtains  a 
situation  as  cash  boy  in  a  dry  goods  store.  He  renders  a  service  to  a 
wealthy  old  gentleman  who  takes  a  fancy  to  the  lad,  and  thereafter 
telpfi   the    lad    to   gain   success   and    fortune. 

Ton   Thatcher's   Fortune.     By    Horatio   Algek,  Je, 

ISmo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

Tom  Thatcher  is  a  brave,  ambitious,  unselfish  boy.  He  supports  hia 
mother  and  sister  on  meagre  wages  earned  as  a  shoe-pegger  in  John 
Simpson's  factory.  Tom  is  discharged  from  the  factory  and  starts  over- 
land for  California-  He  meets  with  many  adventures.  The  story  is  told 
in  a  way  which  has  made  Mr.  Alger's  name  a  household  word  in  so  many 
homes. 

The  Train    Boy.    By    Hoeatio    Algee,    Je.     12ma, 

cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

Paul  Palmer  was  a  wide-awake  boy  of  sixteen  who  supported  his  mother 
and  sister  by  selling  books  and  papers  on  the  Chicago  and  Milwaukee 
Railroad.  He  detects  a  young  man  in  the  act  of  picking  the  pocket  of  a 
joung  lady.  In  a  railway  accident  many  passengers  are  killed,  but  Paul 
is  fortunate  enough  to  assist  a  Chicago  merchant,  who  out  of  gratitude 
takes  him  into  his  employ.  Paul  succeeds  with  tact  and  judgment  and 
Is  well  started   on   the   road   to   business  prominence. 

Mark  Mason's  Victory.     The  Trials  and  Triumphs  of 

a  Telegraph  Boy.    By  Horatio  Alger,  Jb.    12mo,  cloth,  Dlustrated,  price 

Mark  Mason,  the  telegraph  boy,  was  a  sturdy,  honest  lad,  who  pluckily 
won  hli  way  to  success  by  his  honest  manly  efforts  under  many  diffi- 
culties. This  story  will  please  the  very  large  class  of  boys  who  regard 
Mr.    Alger  as  a   favorite  author. 

A  Debt  of  Honor.     The  Story  of  Gerald  Lane's  Success 

in  the  Far  West.    By  Horatio  Ai.ger,  Jr.     12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price 

$1.00. 

Tne  story  of  Gerald  Lane  and  the  account  of  the  many  trials  and  dis- 
appointments which  he  passed  through  befoi  he  attained  success,  will 
Interest  all  boys  who  have  read  the  previous  stories  of  this  delightful 
author. 

Ben  Bruce.     Scenes  in  the  Life  of  a  Bowery  Newsboy. 

By  Horatio  Alger,  Jr.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

Ben  Bruce  was  a  brave,  manly,  generous  boy.  The  story  of  his  efforts, 
and  many  seeming  failures  and  disappointments,  and  his  final  success,  are 
most  interesting  to  all  readers.  The  tale  is  written  in  Mr.  Alger'a 
most  fascinating  style. 

The  Castaways;  or,  On  the  Florida  Keefs.     By  James 

Otis.    ISmo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.04. 

This  tale  smacks  of  the  salt  sea.  From  the  moment  that  the  Sea 
43ueen  leaves  lower  New  York  bay  till  the  breeze  leaves  her  becalmed  oCC 
the  coast  of  Florida,  one  can  almost  hear  the  whistle  of  the  wind 
through  her  rigging,  the  creak  of  her  straining  corda.8;e  as  she  heels  to 
the  leeward.  The  adventures  of  Ben  Clark,  the  hero  of  the  story  and 
Jake  the  cook,  cannot  fail  to  charm  the  reader.  As  a  writer  for  young 
people    Mr.    Otis   is   a    prime    favorite. 

For  Bale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  ^he 
"ublisber,  A.  L.  BUBI,  52-58  Suane  Street,  New  York. 


A.  L.  BURT^S  BOOKS  FOE  YOUNG  PEOPLE.  S 

BOOKS  FOR  BOYS. 

Wrecked  on  Spider  Island ;  or,  How  Ned  Eogers  Found 

the  Treasure.    By  James  Otis.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

Ned  Rogers,  a  "down-east"  plucky  lad  ships  as  cabin  boy  to  earD 
:».  livelihood.  Ned  is  marooned  on  Spider  Island,  and  while  there  dis- 
covers a  wreck  submerged  in  the  sand,  and  finds  a  considerable  amount 
of  treasure.  The  capture  of  the  treasure  and  the  incidents  of  the- 
voyage  serve  to  make  as  entertaining  a  story  of  sea-life  as  the  most 
captious    boy    could    desire. 

The  Search  for  the  Silver  City :  A  Tale  of  Adventure  in 

Yucatan.    By  Jasiss  Otis.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

Two  lads,  Teddy  Wright  and  Neal  Emery,  embark  on  the  steam 
yacht  Day  Dream  for  a  cruise  to  the  tropics.  The  yacht  is  destroyeu 
by  fire,  and  then  the  boat  is  cast  upon  the  coast  of  Yucatan.  They 
hear  of  the  wonderful  Silver  City,  of  the  Chan  Santa  Cruz  Indians, 
and  with  the  help  of  a  faithful  Indian  ally  carry  off  a  number  of  the 
golden  images  from  the  temples.  Pursued  with  relentless  vigor  at  last 
their  escape  is  effected  in  an  astonishing  manner.  The  story  is  so 
full  of  exciting  incidents  that  the  reader  is  quite  carried  away  with 
the    novelty    and    realism   of   the   narrative. 

A    Runaway    Brig;  or.    An    Accidental    Cruise.     By 

James  Otis.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

This  is  a  sea  tale,  and  the  reader  can  look  out  upon  the  wide  shimmer- 
ing sea  as  it  flashes  back  the  sunlight,  and  imagine  himself  afloat  with 
Harry  Vandyne,  Walter  Morse,  Jim  Libby  and  that  old  shell-back.  Bob 
Brace,  on  the  brig  Bonita.  The  boys  discover  a  mysterious  document 
which  enables  them  to  find  a  buried  treasure.  They  are  stranded  on 
an  island  and  at  last  are  rescued  with  the  treasure.  The  boys  are  sure- 
to  be  fascinated  with  this  entertaining  story. 

The    Treasure    Finders:     A    Boy's    Adventures    in 

Nicaragua.    By  James  Otis.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

Roy  and  Dean  Coloney,  with  their  guide  Tongla,  leave  their  father's^ 
indigo  plantation  to  visit  the  wonderful  ruins  of  an  ancient  city.  The 
boys  eagerly  explore  the  temples  of  an  extinct  race  and  discover  three 
golden  images  cunningly  hidden  away.  They  escape  with  the  greatest 
difficulty.  Eventually  they  reach  safety  with  their  golden  prizes.  We 
doubt  If  there  ever  was  written  a  more  entertainrng  story  than  "The 
Treasure    Finders." 

Jack,  the  Hunchback.     A  Story  of  the  Coast  of  Maine. 

By  James  Otis.    Price  $1.00. 

This  is  the  story  of  a  little  hunchback  who  lived  on  Cape  Elizabeth, 
on  the  coast  of  Maine.  His  trials  and  successes  are  most  interesting. 
From  first  to  last  nothing  stays  the  interest  of  the  narrative.  It  bears  us 
along  as  on  a  stream  whose  current  varies  In  direction,  but  never  losea 
Its   force. 

With  Washington  at  Monmouth:    A   Story   of   Three 

Philadelphia   Boys.     By  James  Otis.     18mo,   ornamental  cloth,   olivin* 

edges,  illustrated,  price  $1.50. 

Three  Philadelphia  lads  assist  the  American  spies  and  make  regular 
and  frequent  visits  to  Valley  Forge  in  the  Winter  while  the  British ' 
occupied  the  city.  The  story  abounds  with  pictures  of  Colonial  life 
skillfully  drawn,  and  the  glimpses  of  Washington's  soldiers  which  are 
given  shown  that  the  work  has  not  been  hastily  done,  or  without  con- 
siderable study.  The  story  is  wholesome  and  patriotic  in  tone,  as  are 
all    of    Mr.    Otis'    works. 

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  the 
publisher.  A.  L.  BUBT,  52-58  Duane  Street,  New  York, 


4:  A.  L.  BURT^S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

BOOKS  FOR  BOYS.  ^ 

With  Lafayette  at  Yorktown:  A  Story  of  How  Two 

Boys  Joined  the  Continental  Army.    By  Ju£es  Otis.    12mo,  ornanaental 

cloth,  olivine  edges,  illustrated,  price  $1.60. 

Two  lads  from  Portm«uth,  N.  H.,  attempt  to  enlist  In  the  Colonial 
Army,  and  are  given  employment  as  spies.  There  is  no  lack  of  exciting 
incidents  which  the  youthful  reader  craves,  but  it  Is  healthful  excite- 
ment brimming  with  facts  which  every  boy  should  be  familiar  with, 
and  while  the  reader  is  following  the  adventures  of  Ben  Jaffrays  and 
Ned  Allen  he  is  acquiring  a  fund  of  historical  lore  which  will  remain 
in  his  memory  long  after  that  which  he  has  memorized  from  text- 
books   has    been    forgotten. 

At  the  Siege  of  Havana.    Being  the  Experiences  of 

Three  Boys  Serving  under  Israel  Putnam  in  1762.    By  Jambs  Otis.    13mo, 

ornamental  cloth,  olivine  edges,  illustrated,  price  S1.50. 
"At   the    Siege    of    Havana"    deals    with    that   portion   of   the   Island's 
history    when    the    English    king    captured    the    capital,    thanks    to    the 
assistance  given   by   the  troops  from  New  England,   led  In  part  by  Col. 
Israel    Putnam. 

The  principal  characters  are  Darius  Lunt,  the  lad  who,  represented  as 
telling  the  story,  and  his  comrades,  Robert  Clement  and  Nicholas 
Vallet.  Colonel  Putnam  also  fieures  to  considerable  extent,  necessarily. 
In  the  tale,  and  the  whole  forms  one  of  the  most  readable  stories  founded  on 
historical    facts. 

The  Defense  of  Fort  Henry.       A  Story  of  Wheeling 

Creek  in  1777.    By  James  Otis.    12mo,  ornamental  cloth,  olivine  edges, 

illustrated,  price  $1.50. 

Nowhere  in  the  history  of  our  country  can  be  found  more  heroic  or 
thrilling  incidents  than  in  the  story  of  those  brave  men  and  women 
Who  founded  the  settlement  of  Wheeling  in  the  Colony  of  Virginia.  The 
recital  of  what  Elizabeth  Zane  did  is  in  itself  as  heroic  a  story  as  can 
be  imagined.  The  wondrous  bravery  displayed  by  Major  McCuUoch 
and  his  gallant  comrades,  the  sufferings  of  the  colonists  and  their  sacrifice 
of  blood  and  life,  stir  the  blood  of  old  as  well  as  young  readers. 

The  Capture  of  the  Laughing  Mary.     A  Story  of  Three 

New  York  Boys  in  1776.    By  James  Otis.    12mo,  ornamental  cloth,  olivine 

edges,  price  $1.50. 

"During  the  British  occupancy  of  New  York,  at  the  outbreak  of  the 
Revolution,  a  Yankee  lad  hears  of  the  plot  to  take  General  Washington's 
person,  and  calls  in  two  companions  to  assist  the  patriot  cause.  They 
do  some  astonishing  things,  and,  incidentally,  lay  the  way  for  an 
American  navy  later,  by  the  exploit  which  gives  Its  name  to  the 
work.  Mr.  Otis'  books  are  too  well  known  to  require  any  particular 
commendation  to  the  young." — Evening  Post. 

With  Warren  at  Bunker  Hill.    A  Story  of  the  Siege  of 

Boston.     By  James  Otis.     13mo,  ornametnal  cloth,  olivine  edges,  illus- 
trated, price  $1.50. 

"This  Is  a  tale  of  the  siege  o*"  Boston,  which  opens  on  the  day  after 
the  doings  at  Lexington  and  C'"Jcord,  with  a  description  of  home  life 
in  Boston,  Introduces  the  reader  to  the  British  camp  at  Charlestown, 
shows  Gen.  Warren  at  home,  describes  what  a  boy  thought  of  the 
battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  and  closes  with  the  raising  of  the  siege.  The 
three  heroes,  George  Wentworth,  Ben  Scarlett  and  an  old  ropemaker, 
incur  the  enmity  of  a  joung  Tory,  who  causes  them  many  adventures 
the  boys  will  like  to  read." — Detroit  Free  Press. 

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  the 
publisher,  A.   L.   BUBT,   52-58  Duane  Street,  Kew  York. 


A.  L.  BURT'S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.  5 

BOOKS  FOR  BOYS. 

With  the  Swamp  Fox.    The  Story  of  General  Marion's 

Spies.    By  James  Otis.    13mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

This  story  deals  with  General  Francis  Marion's  heroic  struggle  in  the 
Carolinas.  General  Marion's  arrival  to  take  command  of  these  brave 
men  and  rough  riders  is  pictured  as  a  boy  might  have  seen  it,  and 
although  the  story  is  devoted  to  vehat  the  lads  did,  the  Swamp  Fox 
is   ever   present   in   the   mind   of    the    reader. 

On  the  Kentucky  Frontier.     A  Story  of  the  Fighting 

Pioneers  of  the  West.    By  James  Otis.    ISmo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1. 

In  the  history  of  our  country  there  is  no  more  thrilling  story  than 
that  of  the  work  done  on  the  Mississippi  river  by  a  handful  of  frontiers- 
men. Mr.  Otis  takes  the  reader  on  that  famous  expedition  from  the 
arrival  of  Major  Clarke's  force  at  Corn  Island,  until  Kaskaskia  was 
captured.  He  relates  that  part  of  Simon  Kenton's  life  history  which 
Is  not  usually  touched  upon  either  by  the  historian  or  the  story  teller. 
This  is  one  of  the  most  entertaining  books  for  young  people  which  has 
been    published. 

Sarah  Dillard's  Ride.     A  Story  of  South  Carolina  in 

in  1780.    By  James  Otis.    ISmo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

"This  book  deals  with  the  Carolinas  in  1780,  giving  a  wealth  of  detail  of 
the  Mountain  Men  who  struggled  so  valiantly  against  the  king's  troops. 
Major  Ferguson  is  the  prominent  British  officer  of  the  story,  which  is 
told  as  though  coming  from  a  youth  who  experienced  these  adventures. 
In  this  way  the  famous  ride  of  Sarah  Dillard  is  brought  out  as  an 
Incident  of  the  plot." — Boston  Journal. 

A  Tory  Plot.     A  Story  of  the  Attempt  to  Kill  General 

Washington.    By  Jambs  Otis.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

"  'A  Tory  Plot'  is  the  story  of  two  lads  who  overhear  something 
of  the  plot  originated  during  the  Revolution  by  Gov.  Tryon  to  capture 
or  murder  Washington.  They  communicate  their  knowledge  to  Gen. 
Putnam  and  are  commissioned  by  him  to  play  the  role  of  detectives 
In  the  matter.  They  do  so,  and  meet  with  many  adventures  and  hair- 
"breadth  escapes.  The  boys  are,  of  course,  mythical,  but  they  serve  to  en- 
able the  author  to  put  into  very  attractive  shape  much  valuable  knowledge 
concerning  one  phase  of  the  Revolution." — Pittsburgh  Times. 

A  Traitor's  Escape.     A  Story  of  the  Attempt  to  Seize 

Benedict  Arnold.    By  James  Otis.    ISmo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

"This  is  a  tale  with  stirring  scenes  depicted  in  each  chapter,  bringing 
clearly  before  the  mind  the  glorious  deeds  of  the  early  settlers  in  thia 
country.  In  an  historical  work  dealing  with  this  country's  past,  no 
plot  can  hold  the  attention  closer  than  this  one,  which  describes  the 
attempt  and  partial  success  of  Benedict  Arnold's  escape  to  New  York, 
where  he  remained  as  the  guest  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton.  AH  those  who 
actually  figured  in  the  arrest  «£  the  traitor,  as  well  as  Gen.  Washing- 
ton, are  included  as  characters." — AUiany  Union, 

A  Cruise  with  Paul  Jones.     A  Story  of  Kaval  Warfaro 

in  1776.    By  James  Otis.    ISmo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  fl.OO. 

"This  story  taLes  up  that  portion  of  Paul  Jones'  adventurous  life 
when  he  was  hovering  off  the  British  coast,  watching  for  an  oppor- 
tunity to  strike  the  enemy  a  blow.  It  deals  more  particularly  with 
bis  descent  upon  Whitehaven,  the  seizure  of  Lady  Selkirk's  plate,  and 
the  famous  battle  with  the  Drake.  The  boy  who  figures  in  the  tale 
Is  one  who  was  taken  from  a  derelict  by  Paul  Jones  shortly  after  thie 
particular  cruise  was  begun." — Chicago  Inter-Ocean. 

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  By  tb6 
publlsber,  A.  L.  BUBI,  62-68  Duane  Street,  New  York. 


6  A.  L.  BURT^S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

BOOKS  FOR  boys" 

Corporal  Lige's  Recruit.     A  Story  of  Crown  Point  and 

Ticonderoga.    By  James  Otis.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  Si, 00. 

"In  'Corporal  Lige's  Recruit,'  Mr.  Otis  tells  the  amusing  story  of  an 
old  soldier,  proud  of  his  record,  who  had  served  the  king  in  '58,  and  who 
talies  the  lad,  Isaac  Rice,  as  his  'personal  recruit.'  The  lad  acquits 
himself  superbly.  Col.  Ethan  Allen  'in  the  name  of  God  and  the  con- 
tinental congress,'  infuses  much  martial  spirit  into  the  narrative,  which 
will  arouse  the  keenest  interest  as  it  proceeds.  Crown  Point.  Ticon- 
deroga, Benedict  Arnold  and  numerous  other  famous  historical  names 
appear  in  tbis  dramatic  tale." — Boston  Globe. 

Morgan^  the  Jersey  Spy.  A  Story  of  the  Siege  of  York- 
town  in  1781.  By  James  Otis.  12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  §1.00. 
"The  two  lads  who  are  utilized  by  the  author  to  emphasize  the  details 
of  the  work  done  during  that  memorable  time  were  real  boys  who  lived 
on  the  banks  of  the  York  river,  and  who  aided  the  Jersey  spy  In  his 
dangerous  occupation.  In  the  guise  of  fishermen  the  lads  visit  York- 
town,  are  suspected  of  being  spies,  and  put  under  arrest.  Morgan  risks 
his  life  to  save  them.  The  final  escape,  the  thrilling  encounter  with  a 
squad  of  red  coats,  when  they  are  exposed  CQually  to  the  bullets  of 
friends  and  foes,  told  in  a  masterly  fashion,  makes  of  this  volume  one 
of  the  most  entertaining  books  of  the  year." — Inter-Ocean. 

The  Young  Scout:  The  Story  of  a  West  Point  Lieu- 
tenant. By  Edward  S.  Elijs.  12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 
The  crafty  Apache  chief  Geronimo  but  a  few  years  ago  was  the 
most  terrible  scourge  of  the  southwest  border.  The  author  has  woven, 
in  a  tale  of  thrilling  Interest,  all  the  incidents  of  Geronimo's  last  raid. 
The  hero  is  Lieutenant  James  Decker,  a  recent  graduate  of  West  Point. 
Ambitious  to  distinguish  himself  the  young  man  takes  many  a  desperate 
chance  against  the  enemy  and  on  more  than  one  occasion  narrowly 
escapes  with  his  life.  In  our  opinion  Mr.  Ellis  is  the  best  writer  of 
Indian    stories    now    before    the    public. 

Adrift  in  the  Wilds:  The  Adventures  of  Two  Ship- 
wrecked Boys.  By  Edward  S.  Ellis.  ISmo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 
Elwood  Brandon  and  Howard  Lawrence  are  en  route  for  San  Fran- 
cisco. Off  the  coast  of  California  the  steamer  takes  fire.  The  two  boys 
reach  the  shore  with  several  of  the  passengers.  Young  Brandon  be- 
comes separated  from  his  party  and  is  captured  by  hostile  Indians, 
but  is  afterwards  rescued.  This  is  a  very  entertaining  narrative  of 
Southern    California. 

A  Young  Hero;  or,  Fighting  to  Win.     By  Edwaed  S. 

Ellis.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  81.00. 

This  story  tells  how  a  valuable  solid  silver  service  was  stolen  from 
the  Misses  Perkinpine,  two  very  old  and  simple  minded  ladies.  Fred 
Sheldon,  the  hero  of  this  story,  undertakes  to  discover  the  thieves  and 
have  them  arrested.  After  much  time  spent  In  detective  work,  ha 
succeeds  in  discovering  the  silver  plate  and  winning  the  reward.  The 
story  is  told  in  Mr.  Ellis'  most  fascinating  style.  Every  boy  will  be 
glad  to   read   this  delightful  book. 

lost  in  the  Kockies.     A  Story  of  Adventure  in  the 

Rocky  Mountains.    By  Edward  S.  Ellis.    ISmo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1. 

Incident  succeeds  Incident,  and  adventure  is  piled  upon  adventure, 
and  at  the  end  the  reader,  be  he  boy  or  man,  will  have  experienced 
breathless  enjoyment  in  this  romantic  story  describing  many  adventures  In 
the  Rockies  and  among  the  Indinns. 

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  the 
publisher.  A,  I..  BTJBT,  52-58  Duane  Street,   New  Tork. 


A.  L.  BURT^S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.  7l 

BOOKS  FOR  BOYSl 

A  Jaunt  Through  Java:    The  Story  of  a  Journey  to 

the  Sacred  Mountain.    By  Edward  S.  Ellis.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated, 

price  $1.00. 

The  interest  of  this  story  is  found  in  the  thrilling  adventures  of 
two  cousins,  Hermon  and  Eustace  Hadley,  on  their  trip  acrosss  the  island 
of  Java,  from  Samarang  to  the  Sacred  Mountain.  In  a  land  where  the 
Koyal  Bengal  tiger,  the  rhinoceros,  and  other  fierce  beasts  are  to  be 
met  with,  it  is  but  natural  that  the  heroes  of  this  book  should  have  a 
lively  experience.     There  is  not  a  dull  page  in  the  book. 

The  Boy  Patriot.     A  Story  of  Jack,  the  Young  Friend 

of  Washington.    By  Edwaed  S.  Ellis.    12mo,  cloth,  olivine  edges,  illus- 
trated, price  $1.50. 

"There  are  adventures  of  all  kinds  for  the  hero  and  his  friends,  whose 
pluck  and  ingenuity  in  extricating  themselves  from  awkward  fixes  are 
always  equal  to  the  occasion.  It  is  an  excellent  story  full  of  honest, 
manly,  patriotic  efforts  on  the  part  of  the  hero.  A  very  vivid  description 
of  the  battle  of  Trenton  is  also  found  in  this  story." — Journal  of 
Education. 

A  Yankee  Lad's  Pluck.     How  Bert  Larkin  Saved  his 

Father's  Ranch  in  Porto  Rico.    By  Wm.  P.  Chipman.    13mo,  cloth,  illus- 
trated, price  $1.00. 

"Bert  Larkin,  the  hero  of  the  story,  early  excites  our  admiration, 
and  is  altogether  a  fine  character  such  as  boys  will  delight  in,  whilst 
the  story  of  his  numerous  adventures  is  very  graphically  told.  This 
will,  we  think,  prove  one  of  the  most  popular  boys'  books  this  season," — 
Gazette. 

A  Brave  Defense.    A   Story  of  the  Massacre  at   Fort 

Griswold  in  1781.    By  William  P.  Chipman.    ISmo,  cloth,  illustrated,  prica 

$1.00. 

Perhaps  no  more  gallant  fight  against  fearful  odds  took  place  during 
the  Revolutionary  War  than  that  at  Fort  Griswold,  Groton  Heights,  Conn., 
in  1781.  The  boys  are  real  boys  who  were  actually  on  the  muster  rolls, 
either  at  Fort  TrumouU  on  the  New  London  side,  or  of  Fort  Griswold  on 
the  Groton  side  of  the  Thames.  The  youthful  reader  who  follows  Halsey 
Sanford  and  Levi  Dart  and  Tom  Malleson,  and  their  equally  brave  com- 
rades, through  their  thrilling  adventures  will  be  learning  something  more 
than  historical  facts;  they  will  be  Imbibing  lessons  of  fidelity,  of  bravery, 
of  heroism,  and  of  manliness,  which  must  prove  serviceable  in  the  arena 
of  life. 

The  Young  Minuteman.     A  Story  of  the  Capture  of 

Gteneral  Prescott  in  1777.    By  William  P.  Chipman.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated, 

price  $1.00. 

This  story  is  based  upon  actual  events  which  occurred  during  the  British 
occupation  of  the  waters  of  Narragansett  Bay.  Darius  Wale  and  William 
Northrop  belong  tO(  "the  coast  patrol."  The  story  is  a  strong  one,  dealing 
only  with  actual  events.  There  is,  however,  no  lack  of  thrilling  adventure, 
and  every  lad  who  is  fortunate  enough  to  obtain  the  book  will  find  not 
only  that  his  historical  knowledge  is  increased,  but  that  his  own  patriotism 
and  love  of  country  are  deepened. 

For  the  Temple:    A  Tale  of  the  Fall  of  Jerusalem. 

By  G.  A.  Hentt.  With  illustrations  by  S.  J.  Solomon.  12ino,  cloth,  olivine 
edges,  price  Sl-00. 

"Mr.  Henty's  graphic  prose  picture  of  the  hopeless  Jewish  resistance 
to  Roman  sway  adds  another  leaf  to  his  record  of  the  famous  wars  of 
the  world.     The  book  is  one  of  Mr.   Henty's  cleverest  efforts." — Graphio. 

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  the 
publisher,  A.  L.  BUKT,   52-58  Cuane  Street,  New  York. 


S  A.  L.  BURT^S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

BOOKS  FOR  BOYS. 

Roy  Gilbert's  Search :    A  Tale  of  the  Great  Lakes.    By 

Wm.  p.  Chipman.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  gl.OO. 

A  deep  mystery  hangs  over  the  parentage  of  Roy  Gilbert.  He  arranges 
with  two  schoolmates  to  make  a  tour  of  the  Great  Lakes  on  a  steam 
launch.  The  three  boys  visit  many  points  of  interest  on  the  lakes. 
Afterwards  the  lads  rescue  an  elderly  gentleman  and  a  lady  from  a  sink- 
ing yacht.  Later  on  the  boys  narrowly  escape  with  their  lives.  The 
hero  is  a  manly,  self-reliant  boy,  whose  adventures  will  be  followed 
with    Interest. 

The  Slate  Picker:     The  Story  of  a  Boy's  Life  in  the 

Coal  Mines.    By  Hakry  Prentice.    13mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

This  is  a  story  of  a  boy's  life  in  the  coal  mines  of  Pennsylvania. 
Ben  Burton,  the  hero,  had  a  hard  road  to  travel,  but  by  grit  and  energy 
he  advanced  step  by  step  until  he  found  himself  called  upon  to  fill  the 
position  of  chief  engineer  of  the  Kohinoor  Coal  Company.  This  is  a 
book  of  extreme  interest  to  every  boy   reader. 

The  Boy  Cruisers;  or,  Paddling  in  Florida.     By  St. 

George  Rathborne.  13mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  SlOO 
Andrew  George  and  Rowland  Carter  start  on  a  canoe  trip  along  the 
Gulf  coast,  from  Key  West  to  Tampa,  Florida.  Their  first  adventure 
is  with  a  pair  of  rascals  who  steal  their  boats.  Next  they  run  into 
a  gale  in  the  Gulf.  After  that  they  have  a  lively  time  with  alli- 
gators and  Andrew  gets  into  trouble  with  a  band  of  Seminole  Indians. 
Mr.  Rathborne  knows  just  how  to  interest  the  boys,  and  lads  who  are 
in  search  of  a  rare  treat  will  do  well  to.  read  this  entertaining  story. 

Captured  by  Zulus:     A  Story  of  Trapping  in  Africa. 

By  Harry  Prentice.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

This  story  details  the  adventures  of  two  lads,  Dick  Elsworth  and  Bob 
Harvey,  in  the  wilds  of  South  Africa.  By  stratagem  the  Zulus  capture 
Diclc  and  Bob  and  take  them  to  their  principal  kraal  or  village.  The 
lads  escape  death  by  dig  ing  their  way  out  of  the  prison  hmt  by  night. 
They  are  pursued,  but  the  Zulus  finally  give  up  pursuit.  Mr.  Prentice 
tells  exactly  ho./  wild-beast  collectors  secure  specimens  on  their  native 
stamping  grounds,   and  these  descriptions  make  very  entertaining  rending. 

Tom  the  Ready;  or,  Up  from  the  Lowest.     By  ItAN- 

DOLPH  Hill.    13mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1  00. 

This  is  a  dramatic  narrative  of  the  unaided  rise  of  a  fearless,  ambi- 
tious boy  from  the  lowest  round  of  fortune's  ladder  to  wealth  and  the 
governorship  of  his  native  State.  Tom  Seacomb  begins  life  with  a  pur- 
pose, and  eventually  overcomes  those  who  oppose  him.  How  he  manages 
to  win  the  battle  is  told  by  Mr.  Hill  in  a  masterfrl  way  that  thrills 
the  reader  and  holds  his  attention  and  sympathy  to  the  end. 

Captain  Kidd's  Gold:  The  True  Story  of  an  Adven- 
turous Sailor  Boy.  By  James  Franklin  Fitts.  12mo,  cloth,  illustrated, 
price  $1.00. 

There  is  something  fascinating  to  the  average  youth  in  the  very  idea 
of  buried  treasure.  A  vision  arises  before  his  eyes  of  swarthy  Portu- 
guese and  Spanish  rascals,  with  black  beards  and  gleaming  eyes.  There 
were  many  famous  sea  rovers,  but  none  more  celebrated  than  Capt.  Kidd. 
Paul  Jones  Garry  Inherits  a  document  which  locates  a  considerable 
treasure  buried  by  two  of  Kidd's  crew.  The  hero  of  this  book  is  an 
ambitious,  persevering  lad,  of  salt-water  New  England  ancestry,  and  his 
efforts  to  reach  the  Island  and  secure  the  money  form  one  of  the  most 
absorbing    tales    for   our   youth    that    has    come    from    the    press. 

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  the 
publisher,   A.   L.  BTJRT,  52-58  Duane  Street,  New  York. 


A.  L.  BURT^S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.  9 

BOOKS  FOR  BOYS. 

The  Boy  Explorers:    The  Adventures  of  Two  Boys  in 

Alaska.    By  Harrv  Prentice.    iSmo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

Two  boys,  Raymond  and  Spencer  Manning,  travel  to  Alaska  to  join 
their  father  in  search  of  their  uncle.  On  their  arrival  at  Sitka  the  boys 
with  an  Indian  guide  set  off  across  the  mountains.  The  trip  is  fraught 
with  perils  that  test  the  lads'  couracu  to  the  utmost.  All  through  their 
exciting  adventures  the  lads  demonstrate  what  can  be  accomplished  by 
pluck  and  resolution,  and  their  experience  makes  one  of  the  most  in- 
teresting  tales   ever   written. 

The    Island   Treasure;    or,    Harry    DarreFs    Fortune. 

By  Frank  H.  Converse.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  ^l.OO. 

Harry  Darrel,  having  received  a  nautical  training  on  a  school-ship,  is 
bent  on  going  to  sea.  A  runaway  horse  changes  his  prospects.  Harry 
saves  Dr.  Gregg  from  drowning  and  afterward  becomes  sailing-master 
of  a  sloop  yacht.  Mr.  Converse's  stories  possess  a  charm  of  their  own 
which  is  appreciated  by  lads  who  delight  in  good  healthy  tales  that 
smack  of  salt  water. 

Guy  Harris:    The  Eunaway.    By  Harry  Castlemon. 

12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

Guy  Harris  lived  in  a  small  city  on  the  shore  of  one  of  the  Great 
Lakes.  He  is  persuaded  to  go  to  sea,  and  gets  a  glimpse  of  the  rough 
side  of  life  in  a  sailor's  boarding  house.  He  ships  on  a  vessel  and  for 
five  months  leads  a  hard  life.  The  book  will  interest  boys  generally 
on  account  of  its  graphic  style.  This  Is  one  of  Castlemon's  most  attract- 
ive stories. 

Julian  Mortimer:     A  Brave  Boy's  Struggle  for  Home 

and  Fortune.    By  Habry  Castlemon.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1. 

The  scene  of  the  story  lies  west  of  the  Mississippi  River,  in  the  days 
when  emigrants  made  their  perilous  way  across  the  great  plains  to  the 
land  of  gold.  There  is  an  attack  upon  the  wagon  train  by  a  large  party 
of  Indians.  Our  hero  is  a  ?ad  of  uncommon  nerve  and  pluck.  Befriended 
by  a  stalwart  trapper,  a  real  rough  diamond,  our  hero  achieves  the  most 
happy  results. 

By  Pike  and  Dyke:     A  Tale  of  the  Else  of  the  Dutch 

Republic.    By  G.  A.  Hentt.    "With   illustrations   by   Matnard   Brown. 

12mo,  cloth,  olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 

"Boys  with  a  turn  for  historical  research  will  be  enchanted  with  the 
book,  while  the  rest  who  only  care  for  adventure  will  be  students  in  spite 
of  themselves." — St.   James's  Gazette. 

St.  George  for  England:  A  Tale  of  Cressy  and  Poi- 
tiers. By  G.  A.  Henty.  With  illustrations  by  Gordon  Browne.  12mo, 
cloth,  olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 

"A  story  of  very  great  interest  for  boys.  In  his  own  forcible  style 
the  author  has  endeavored  to  show  that  determination  and  enthusiasm 
can  accomplish  marvellous  results;  and  that  courage  is  generally  accom' 
panied  by  magnanimity  and  gentleness." — Pall  Mall  Gazette. 

Captain  Bayley's  Heir:     A  Tale  of  the  Gold  Fields  of 

California.    By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations  by  H.  M.  Paget.    ISmoi 

cloth,  olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 

"Mr.  Henty  is  careful  to  mingle  Instruction  with  entertainment;  and 
the  humorous  touches,  especially  in  the  sketch  of  John  Holl,  the  West- 
minster dustman,  Dickens  himself  could  hardly  have  excelled." — Chris- 
tian Leader.  

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  en  receipt  of  price  by  the 
publisher,  A.  L.  BXJRT,  62-68  Duane  Street,  New  York. 


10        A.  L.  BURT^S  BOOKS  FOE  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

BOOKS  FOR  BOYS.  ^ 

Budd  Boyd's  Triumph;  or,  The  Boy  Firm  of  Fox  Island. 

By  "William  P.  Chipman.    13mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  |1.00. 

The  scene  of  this  story  is  laid  on  the  upper  part  of  Narragansett  Bay, 
and  the  leading  Incidents  have  a  strong  salt-water  flavor.  The  two 
boys,  Budd  Boyd  and  Judd  Floyd,  being  ambitious  and  clear  sighted, 
form  a  partnership  to  catch  and  sell  fish.  Budd's  pluck  and  good  sense 
carry  him  through  many  troubles.  In  following  the  career  of  the  boy 
firm  of  Boyd  &  Floyd,  the  youthful  reader  will  find  a  useful  lesson- 
that  industry  and  perseverance  are  bound  to  lead  to  ultimate  success. 

Lost  in  the  Canyon:     Sam  Willetfs  Adventures  on  the 

Great  Colorado.  By  Alfred  R.  Calhoun.  12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1, 
This  story  hinges  on  a  fortune  left  to  Sam  Willett.  the  hero,  and  the 
fact  that  it  will  pass  to  a  disreputable  relative  if  the  lad  dies  before 
he  shall  have  reached  his  majority.  The  story  of  his  father's  peril  and 
of  Sam's  desperate  trip  down  the  great  canyon  on  a  raft,  and  how  the 
party  finally  escape  from  their  perils  is  described  in  a  graphic  Style 
that  stamps  Mr.   Calhoun  as  a  master  of  his  art. 

Captured  by  Apes :      The  Wonderful  Adventures  of  a 

Young  Animal  Trainer.    By  Habey  Prentice.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated. 

price  Sl.OO, 

Philip  Garland,  a  young  animal  collector  and  trainer,  sets  sail  for 
Eastern  seas  in  quest  of  a  new  stock  of  living  curiosities.  The  vessel 
is  wrecked  off  the  coast  of  Borneo,  and  young  Garland  is  cast  ashore 
on  a  small  island,  and  cantured  by  the  aoes  that  overrun  the  place. 
Very  novel  indeed  is  the  way  by  which  the  young  man  escapes  death. 
Mr.   Prentice  is  a  writer  of  undoubted  skill. 

Under  Drake's  Flag:     A  Tale  of  the  Spanish  Main. 

By  G.  A.  Henty.     With  illustrations  by  Gordon  Browne.    12mo,  cloth, 

olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 

"There  is  not  a  dull  chapter,  nor,  Indeed,  a  dull  page  in  the  book;  but 
the  author  has  so  carefully  worked  up  his  subject  that  the  exciting 
deeds  of  his  heroes  are  never  incongruous  nor  absurd." — Observer, 

By  Sheer  Pluck:    A  Tale  of  the  Ashanti  War.    By 

G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations  by  Gordon  Browne.    13mo,  cloth,  olivine 

edges,  price  SI. 00. 

The  author  has  woven,  in  a  tale  of  thrilling  interest,  all  the  details 
of  the  Ashanti  campaign,  of  which  he  was  himself  a  witness. 

"Mr.  Henty  keeps  up  his  reputation  as  a  writer  of  boys'  stories.  'By 
Sheer  Pluck'   will  be  eagerly  read." — Athenseum, 

With  Lee  in  Virginia :     A  Story  of  the  American  Civil 

War.    By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations  by  Gordon  Browne.    12mo, 

cloth,  olivine  edges,  price  ^1.00. 

"One  of  the  best  stories  for  lads  which  Mr.  Henty  has  yet  written. 
The  picture  is  full  of  life  and  color,  and  the  stirring  and  romantic  Inci- 
dents are  skillfully  blended  with  the  personal  Interest  and  charm  of  the 
story. ' ' — Standard. 

By  England's  Aid;  or,  The  Freeing  of  the  Netherlands 

(1585-1604).    ByG.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations  by  Alfred  Pearse.    12mo, 

cloth,  olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 

"It  is  an  admirable  book  for  youngsters.  It  overflows  with  stirring 
Incident  and  exciting  adventure,  and  the  color  of  the  era  and  of  the 
scene  are  finely  reproduced.  The  illustrations  add  to  its  attractiveness."— 
Boston   Gazette.  

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  the 
publisher,  A.  L.  BURT,   52-58  Cuane  Street,  New  York. 


A.  L.  BURT^S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  PEO'     iS.        11 

BOOKS  FOR  BOYS. 

By  Right  of  Conquest;  or,    With    Cortez  in    Mexico. 

By   Q.   A.   Henty.    With   illustrations  by  W.  S.  Stacby.    ISmo.  cloth, 

ofivine  edges,  price  $1.50. 
"The  conquest  of  Mexico  by  a  small  band  of  resolute  men  under  the 
magnificent  leadership  of  Cortez  is  always  rightful!}  ranked  among  the  most 
romantic  and  daring  exploits  in  history.  'By  Rie;ht  of  Conquest'  is  the 
nearest  approach  to  a  perfectly  successful  historical  tale  that  Mr.  Henty 
has  yet  published."— Academy. 

For  Name  and  Fame;   or.  Through  Afghan  Passes. 

By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations  by  Gordon  Browne.    12mo,  cloth, 

olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 

"Not  only  a  rousing  story,  replete  with  all  the  varied  forms  of  excite- 
ment of  a  campaign,  but,  what  Is  still  more  useful,  an  account  of  a 
territory  and  its  inhabitants  whxch  must  for  a  long  time  possess  a  supreme 
interest  for  Englishmen,  as  being  the  key  to  our  Indian  Empire.'' — 
Glasgow  Herald. 

The  Bravest  of  the  Brave;  or.  With  Peterborough  in 

Spain.    By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations   by  H.  M.    Paget.    12mo 

cloth,  olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 

"Mr.  Henty  never  loses  sight  of  the  moral  purpose  of  his  work — to 
enforce  the  doctrine  of  courage  and  truth,  mercy  and  loving  kindness, 
as  indispensable  to  the  making  of  a  gentleman.  Boys  will  rea^  'The 
Bravest  of  the  Brave'  with  pleasure  and  profit;  of  that  we  are  quite 
sure." — Daily    Telegraph. 

The  Cat  of  Bubastes :  A  Story  of  Ancient  Egypt     By 

G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations.    ISmo,  cloth,  olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 

"The  story,  from  the  critical  moment  of  the  killing  of  the  sacred  cat 
to  the  perilous  exodus  into  Asia  with  which  it  closes,  is  very  skillfully 
constructed  and  full  of  exciting  adventures.  It  is  admirably  illustrated." 
— Saturday  Keview. 

Bonnie  Prince  Charlie:    A  Tale  of  Fontenoy  and  Cul- 

loden.    By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations  by  Gordon  Bro'^e.    12mo, 

cloth,  olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 

"Ronald,  the  hero,  is  very  like  the  hero  of  'Quentin  Durward.'  The 
lad's  journey  across  Prance,  and  his  hairbreadth  escapes,  maUea  up  as 
good  a  narrative  of  the  kind  as  we  have  ever  read.  For  frechness  of 
treatment  and  variety  of  incident  Mr.  Henty  has  surpassed  himself."^ 
Spectator, 

With  Clive  in  India;  or.  The  Beginnings  of  an  Empire. 

By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations  by  Gordon  Browne.    12mo,  cloth, 

olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 

"He  has  taken  a  period  of  Indian  history  of  the  most  vital  impor- 
tance, and  he  has  embroidered  on  the  historical  facts  a  story  which  of 
itself  is  deeply  interesting.  Young  people  assuredly  will  be  delighted 
with   the  volume." — Sootsman, 

In  the  Reign  of  Terror:    The  Adventures  of  a  West- 
minster Boy.    By  G.   A..  Hentt.    With  illustrations  by  J.  Schonberg. 
12mo,  cloth,  olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 
"Harry  Kandwlth,  the  Westminster  boy,  may  fairly    be    said    to    beat 

Mr.    Henty's   record.     His   adventures   will    delight    boys   by    the    audacity 

and  peril  they  depict.     The  story  is  one  of  Mr.  Henty's  best." — Saturday 

Review. 

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  the 
publisher,  A.  L.  BXTET,  62-58  Duane  Street,  Kew  York. 


12        A.  L.  BURT^S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

BOOKS  FOR  BOYS. 

The  Lion  of  the  North :    A  Tale  of  Gustavus  Adolplms 

and  the  Wars  of  Relision.    By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations  by  John 

ScHONBERG.    ISmo,  cloth,  olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 

"A  praiseworthy  attempt  to  interest  British  youth  in  the  great  deeds 
of  the  Scotch  Brigade  in  the  wars  of  Gustavus  Adolphus.  Mackey,  Hep- 
burn, and  Munro  live  again  in  Mr.  Henty's  pages,  as  those  deserve  to 
live  whoso  disciplined  bands  formed  really  the  germ  of  the  modern 
British  army." — Athenseum. 

The  Dragon  and  the  Raven;    or,    The   Days  of   King 

Alfred.    By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations  by  C.  J.  Staniland.    12mo, 

cloth,  olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 

In  this  story  the  author  gives  an  account  of  the  fierce  struggle  be- 
tween Saxon  and  Dane  for  supremacy  in  England,  and  presents  a  vivid 
picture  of  the  misery  and  ruin  to  which  the  country  was  reduced  by  the 
ravages  of  the  sea-wolves.  The  story  is  treated  in  a  manner  most  at- 
tractive  to   the   boyish   reader." — Athenaeum, 

The  Young  Carthaginian:     A  Story  of  the  Times  of 

Hannibal.    By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations  by  C.  J.  Staniland.  12mo, 
cloth,  olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 

"Well  constructed  and  vividly  told.  From  first  to  last  nothing  stays 
the  interest  of  the  narrative.  It  bears  us  along  as  on  a  stream  whose 
current  varies  in  direction,  but  n3ver  loses  its  force." — Saturday  Review. 

In  Freedom's  Cause:     A  Story  of  Wallace  and  Bruce. 

By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations  by  Gordon  Browne.    12mo,  cloth, 

olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 

"It  is  written  in  the  author's  best  style.  Full  of  the  wildest  and  most 
remarkable  achievements,  it  is  a  tale  of  great  interest,  which  a  bov,  once 
he  has  begun  it,  will  not  willingly  put  one  side." — The  Schoolmaster. 

With  Wolfe  in  Canada;  or.  The  Winning  of  a  Con- 
tinent. By  G.  A.  Henty.  With  illustrations  by  Gordon  Browne.  13mo, 
cloth,  olivine  edges,  price  $1.00, 

"A  model  of  what  a  boys'  story-book  should  be.  Mr.  Henty  has  a 
great  power  of  infusing  into  the  dead  facts  of  history  new  life,  and  as 
no  pains  are  spared  by  him  to  ensure  accuracy  in  historic  details,  his 
boolis  supply  useful  aids  to  study  as  well  as  amusement." — School  Guard- 
iani 

True  to  the  Old  Flag:    A  Tale  of  the  American  War  of 

Independence.    By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations  by  Gordon  Brownb, 

13mo,  cloth,  olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 

"Does  justice  to  the  pluck  and  determination  of  the  British  sollders 
during  the  unfortunate  struggle  against  American  emancipation.  The  son 
of  an  American  loyalist,  who  remains  true  to  our  flag,  falls  among  the 
.nbstile  red-skins  in  that  very  Huron  country  which  has  been  endeared 
to   us  by   the   exploits  of   Hawkeye   and   Chlngachgook." — The  Times. 

A.  Final  Reckoning:     A    Tale  of  Bush    Life  in  Aus- 
tralia.   By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations  by  W.  B.  Wollen.    12mo, 
cloth,  olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 
"All  boys  will  read  this  story  with  eager  and  unflagging  Interest.     The 

fpisodes  are   in   Mr.    Henty's   very   best   vein — graphic,    exciting,    realistic; 

and,  as  in  all  Mr,  Henty's  books,   the  tendency  is  to  the  formation  of  an 

honorable,    manly,    and   even   heroic   character." — Birmingham   Post. 

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  the 
publisher,  A.  L.  BUBT,  52-58  Suane  Street,  New  York. 


A.  L.  BURT^S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.        13 

BOOKS  FOR  BOYS. 

The  Lion  of  St.  Mark:    A  Tale  of  Venice  in  the  Four- 
teenth Century.    By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations  by  Gordon  Browne. 
IJJmo,  cloth,  olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 
"Every  boy  should  read  'The  Lion  of  St.  Mark.'     Mr.  Henty  has  never 

produced  a  story  more  delightful,  more  wholesome,  or  more  vivacious."— 

Saturday    Review. 

Facing  Death;  or.  The  Hero  of  the  Vaughan  Pit.    A 

Tale  of  the  Coal  Mines.    By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations  by  Gordon 

Brovtne.    18mo,  cloth,  olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 

"The  tale  is  well  written  and  well  illustrated,  and  there  Is  much 
reality  in  the  characters.  If  any  father,  clergyman,  or  schoolmaster 
is  on  the  lookout  for  a  good  book  to  give  as  a  present  to  a  bo.y  who  is 
worth  his  salt,   this  is  the  book  we  would  recommend." — Standard. 

Maori  and  Settler:      A  Story  of  the  New  Zealand  War. 

By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations  by  Alfred  Pearse.    12mo,  clothi 

olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 

"In  the  adventures  among  the  Maoris,  there  are  many  breathless 
moments  in  which  the  odds  seem  hopelessly  against  the  party,  but  they 
succeed  in  establishing  themselves  happily  in  one  of  the  pleasant  New 
Zealand  valleys.  It  is  brimful  of  adventure,  of  humorous  and  interesting 
conversation,   and  vivid  pictures  of  colonial  life." — Schoolmaster. 

One  of  the  28th:    A  Tale  of  Waterloo.    By  G.  A. 

Hentt.    With  illustrations  by  W.  H.  Overend.      13mo,    cloth,  olivine 

edges,  price  $1.00. 
"Written  with  Homeric  vigor  and  heroic  inspiration.  It  is  graphic, 
picturesque,  and  dramatically  effective  .  .  .  shows  us  Mr.  Hent.y  at 
his  best  and  brightest.  The  adventures  will  hold  a  boy  enthralled  as  he 
rushes  through  them  with  breathless  interest  'from  cover  to  cover.'  " — 
Observer. 

Orange  and  Green:    A  Tale  of  the  Boyne  and  Limer- 
ick.   By  G.  A.  Henty.     With  illustrations  by  Gordon  Browne.     ISmo, 
cloth,  olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 
"The  narrative  is  free    from    the  vice    of    prejudice,  and    ripples    wltli 

life  as  if  what  is  being  described  were  really  passing  before  the  eye." — 

Belfast   News-Letter. 

Through  the  Fray:     A  Story  of   the   Lnddite    Eiots. 

By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations  by  H.  M.  Paget.    12mo,  cloth,  olivine 

edges,  price  $1.00. 

"Mr.  Henty  inspires  a  love  and  admiration  for  straightforwardness,  truth 
and  courage.  This  is  one  of  the  best  of  the  many  good  books  Mr. 
Henty  has  produced,  and  deserves  to  be  classed  with  his  'Facing  Death.'  " 
— Standard. 

The  Yonng  Midshipman:  A  Story  of  the  Bombard- 
ment of  Alexandria.  With  illustrations.  12mo,  cloth,  oUvine  edges, 
price  $1.00. 

A  coast  fishing  lad,  by  an  act  of  heroism,  secures  the  interest  of 
a  shipowner,  who  places  him  as  an  apprentice  on  board  one  of  his  ships. 
In  company  with  two  of  his  fellow-apprentices  he  is  left  behind,  at 
Alexandria,  in  the  hands  of  the  revolted  Egyptian  troops,  and  is  present 
through  the  bombardment  and  the  scenes  of  riot  and  bloodshed  which 
accompanied  it. 

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  the 
publisher.  A.  L.  BTJET,  52-58  Duaua  Street,  New  York. 


14        A.  L.  BURT^S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

BOOKS  FOR  BOYS. 

In    Times    of    Peril.    A  Tale  of    India.    By  G.  A. 

Hentt.    "With  illustrations.    12ino,  cloth,  oUvine  edges,  price  $1.00. 

The  hero  of  the  story  early  excites  our  admiration,  and  is  altogether 
a  fine  character  such  as  boys  -will  delight  in,  whilst  the  Story  of  the 
campaign   is   very  graphically   told." — St.   James's  Gazette. 

The  Comet  of  Horse:     A  Tale  of  Marlborough's  Wars. 

By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations.    13mo,  cloth,  olivine  edges,  price  $1. 

"Mr.  Henty  not  only  concocts  a  thrilling  tale,  he  weaves  fact  and  fiction 
together  with  so  skillful  a  hand  that  the  reader  cannot  help  acquiring  a 
just  and  clear  view  of  that  fierce  and  terrible  struggle  known  as  the 
Crimean  War." — Athenasum. 

The  Young  Franc-Tireurs :    Their  Adventures  in  the 

Franco-Prussian  War.    By  G.  A.  Hentt.    With  Olustrations.    12mo,  cloth, 

olivine  edges,  price  fl.OO. 

"A  capital  book  for  hoys.  It  is  bright  and  readable,  and  full  of  good 
sense  and  manliness.  It  teaches  pluck  and  patience  in  adversity,  and 
shows   that   right   living   leads   to   success." — Observer, 

The  Young  Colonists:    A  Story  of  Life  and  War  in 

South  Africa.    By  G.  A.  Hentt.    With  illustrations.    12mo,  cloth,  olivine 

edges,  price  $1.00. 

"No  boy  needs  to  have  any  story  of  Henty's  recommended  to  him,  and 
parents  who  do  not  know  and  buy  them  for  their  boys  should  be  ashamed 
of  themselves.  Those  to  whom  he  is  yet  unknown  could  not  make  a 
better    beginning    than    with    this    book. 

The  Young  Buglers.     A  Tale  of  the  Peninsular  War. 

By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations.    ISmo,  cloth,  olivine  edges,  price  $1. 

"Mr.  Henty  is  a  giant  among  boys'  writers,  and  his  books  are  suffi- 
ciently popular  to  be  sure  of  a  welcome  anywhere.  In  stirring  interest, 
this  is  quite  up  to  the  level  of  Mr.  Henty's  former  historical  tales." — 
Saturday  Review. 

Sturdy  and  Strong;  or,  How  George  Andrews  Made  his 

Way.    By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  illustrations.    ISmo,  cloth,  olivine  edges, 

price  SI -00. 

"The  history  of  a  hero  of  everyday  life,  whose  love  of  tr  th,  clothing  of 
modesty,  and  innate  pluck,  carry  him,  naturally,  from  povrty  to  afflu- 
ence. George  Andrews  is  an  example  of  character  with  nothing  to  cavil 
at,  and  stands  as  a  good  instance  of  chivalry  in  domestic  life." — The 
Empire. 

Among  Malay  Pirates.     A    Story  of    Adventure    and 

Peril.    By  G.  A.  Hentt.    With  illustrations.    12mo,  cloth,  olivine  edges, 

price  $1.00. 

"Incident  succeeds  incident,  and  adventure  Is  piled  upon  adventure, 
and  at  the  end  the  reader,  be  he  boy  or  man,  will  have  experienced 
breathless  enjoyment  in  a  romantic  story  that  must  have  taught  him 
much   at    its   close." — Army   and   Navy   Gazette. 

Jack  Archer.      A    Tale    of    the    Crimea.     By  G.  A. 

Henty.    With  iUustrations.    12mo,  cloth,  olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 

"Mr.  Henty  not  only  concocts  a  thrilling  tale,  he  weaves  fact  and  fiction 
together  with  so  skillful  a  hand  that  the  reader  cannot  help  acquiring  a 
just  and  clear  view  of  that  fierce  and  terrible  struggle." — Athenteum. 

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  the 
publisher,   A.  L.  BXTRT,   52-58  Buane  Street,  New  York. 


A.  L.  BURT^S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.        15 

BOOKS  FOR  BOYS. 

Friends,  Though  Divided.    A  Tale  of  the  Civil  War. 

By  G.  A.  Hentt.    With  illustrations.     12mo,  cloth,  olivine  edges,  price  $1. 

"It  has  a  good  plot;  It  abounds  In  action;  the  scenes  are  equally  spirited 
and  realistic,  and  we  can  only  say  we  have  read  it  with  much  pleasure 
from  first  to  last." — Times. 

Out  on  the  Pampas;    or.    The    Young    Settlers.    Bj 

G.  A.  Hkntt.    With  illustrations.    13mo,  cloth,  olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 

"A  really  noble  story,  which  adult  readers  will  find  to  the  full  as  satis- 
fying as  the  boys.  Lucky  boys!  to  have  such  a  caterer  as  Mr.  G.  A. 
Henty." — Black  and  White. 

The  Boy  Knight:      A  Tale  of  the  Crusades.    By  G.  A. 

Hknty.    With  illustrations.    12mo,  cloth,  olivine  edges,  price  $1.00. 

"Of  stirring  episode  there  is  no  lack.  The  book,  with  its  careful  accu- 
racy and  its  descriptions  of  all  the  chief  battles,  will  give  many  a  school- 
boy his  first  real  understanding  of  a  very  important  period  of  history." — 
St.  James's  Gazette. 

The  Wreck  of  the  Golden  Fleece.     The  Story  of  a  North 

Sea  Fisher  Boy.    By  Robert  Leighton.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1. 

A  description  of  life  on  the  wild  North  Sea, — the  hero  being  a  parson's 
son  who  is  appreciated  on  board  a  Lowestoft  fishing  lugger.  The  lad  has 
to  suffer  many  bufEets  from  his  shipmates,  while  the  storms  and  dangers 
which  he  braved  on  board  the  "North  Star"  are  set  forth  with  minute 
knowledge  and  intense  power.  The  wreck  of  the  "Golden  Fleece"  forms 
the  climax  to  a  thrilling  series  of  desperate  mischances. 

Olaf  the  Glorious.     A  Story  of  the  Viking  Age.     By 

Robert  Leighton.    ISmo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1 .00. 

This  story  of  Olaf  the  Glorious,  King  of  Norway,  opens  with  the  incident 
of  his  being  found  by  his  uncle  living  as  a  bond-slave  in  Esthonia:  then 
come  his  adventures  as  a  Viking  and  his  raids  upon  the  coasts  of  Scot- 
land and  England,  his  victorious  battle  against  the  English  at  Maldou  in 
Essex,  his  being  bought  off  by  Ethelred  the  Unready,  and  his  conversion 
to  Christianity.  He  then  returns  to  Pagan  Norway,  is  accepted  as  king, 
and  converts  his  people  to  the  Christian  faith. 

To  Greenland  and  the  Pole.     A  story  of  Adventure  in 

the  Arctic  Regions.    By  Gordon  Stables.    ]2mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1. 

The  unfailing  fascination  of  Arctic  venturing  is  presented  in  this  s.;ory 
with  new  vividness.  It  deals  with  skilobning  in  the  north  of  Scotland, 
deer-hunting  in  Norway,  sealing  in  the  Arctic  Seas,  bear-stalking  on  the 
ice-floes,  the  hardships  of  a  journey  across  Greenland,  and  a  successful 
voyage  to  the  back  of  the  North  Pole.  This  is.  Indeed,  a  real  sea-yarn 
by  a  real  sailor,  and  the  tone  is  as  bright  and  wholesome  as  the  adventures 
are  numerous. 

Yussuf  the  Guide.      A    Story    of   Adventure  in   Asia 

Minor.    By  George  Manviiae  Fenn.    ]2mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  SIOO. 

This  story  deals  with  the  stirring  Incidents  in  the  career  of  a  lad  who  has 
been  almost  given  over  by  the  doctors,  but  who  rapidly  recovers  health 
and  strength  In  a  journey  through  Asia  Minor.  The  adventures  are  many, 
and  culminate  in  the  travellers  being  snowed  up  for  the  winter  in  the 
mountains,  from  which  they  escape  while  their  captors  are  waiting  for 
the  ransom   that  does  not  come. 

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  the 
publisher.  A,  L.  BXTET,  52-58  Duane  Street,  New  York. 


IG        A.  L.  BURT^S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

BOOKS  FOR  BOYS. 

jGrettir  the  Outlaw.    A  Story  of  Iceland.    By  S.  Bae- 

iNG-GoDLD.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  SlOO. 

"This  is  the  boys'  boob  of  the  year.  That  Is,  of  course,  as  mnch  as 
to  say  that  it  will  do  for  men  grown  as  well  as  juniors.  It  is  told  in 
simple,  straightforward  English,  as  all  stories  should  be,  and  it  has  a 
freshness   and   freedom   which   make   it   Irresistible." — National   Observer. 

Two    Thousand    Years  Ago.      The    Adventures    of    a 

Roman  Boy.    By  A.  J.  Church,    liimo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

"Prof.  Church  has  in  this  story  sought  to  revivify  that  most  interesting 
period,  the  last  days  of  the  Roman  Republic.  The  book  is  extremely  en- 
tertaining as  well  as  useful;  there  is  a  wonderful  freshness  in  the  Roman 
scenes  and  characters." — Times. 

Nat  the  Naturalist.  A  Boy's  Adventure  in  the  East- 
em  Seas.  By  George  Manville  Fenn.  12mo,  cloth,  Dlustrated,  price  $1. 
Nat  and  his  uncle  Dick  go  on  a  voyage  to  the  remoter  islands  of  the 
Eastern  seas,  and  their  adventures  are  told  in  a  truthful  and  vastly  in- 
teresting fashion.  The  descriptions  of  Mr.  Ebony,  their  black  comrade, 
and  of  the  scenes  of  savage  life,  are  full  of  genuine  humor. 

The  Log  of  the  Flying  Fish.      A  Story  of  Peril  and 

Adventure.    By  Harry  Collingwood.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1. 

"This  story  is  full  of  even  more  vividly  recounted  adventures  than  those 
Whicll  charmed  so  many  boy  readers  in  'Pirate  Island'  and  'Congo  Rovers.' 
.  .  .  There  is  a  thrilling  adventure  on  the  precipices  of  Mount  Everest, 
when  the  ship  floats  off  and  providentially  returns  by  force  of  'gravita- 
tion.' " — Academy. 

The  Congo  Rovers.     A  Story  of  the   Slave   Squadron. 

By  Harry  Colltngwood.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  §1.00. 

"The  scene  of  this  tale  is  laid  on  the  west  coast  of  Africa,  and  In  the 
lower  reaches  of  the  Congo;  the  characteristic  scenery  of  the  great  river 
being  delineated  with  wonderful  accuracy.  Mr.  Collingwood  carries  us  off 
for  anothi-i-  cruis  at  sea,  in  'The  Congo  Covers,'  and  boys  will  need  no 
pressing  to  join  the  daring  crew,  which  seeks  adventures  and  meets  with 
any  number  of  them." — The  Times. 

Boris  the  Bear  Hunter.    A  Tale  of  Peter  the  Great  and 

His  Times.    By  Fred  Wishaw.    ]2mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 
"This  is  a  capital  story.     The  characters  are  marked  and  lifelike,  and  It 
is  full  of  incident  and  adventure.  "—Standard. 

Michael  Strogoff ;  or,  The  Courier  of  the  Czar.     By 

Jules  Verne.    l2mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

"The  story  is  full  of  originality  and  vigor.  The  characters  are  lifelike, 
there  is  plenty  of  stirring  incident,  the  interest  is  sustained  throughout, 
and  every  boy  will  enjoy  following  the  fortunes  of  the  hero." — Journal  of 
Education. 

Mother  Carey's  Chicken.     Her  Voyage  to  the  Unknown 

Isle.    By  George  Manville  Fekn.    ]2mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

"Undoubtedly  one  of  the  best  Mr.  Penn  has  written.  The  Incidents  are 
of  thrilling  interest,  while  the  characters  are  drawn  with  a  care  and  com- 
pleteness  rarely   found  in   a   boy's  book." — Literary  V/orld. 

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  the 
publisher,  A.  L.   BURT,   52-58  Duane  Street,  TTew  York. 


^  ? 


A.  L.  BURT^S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.        17 

BOOKS  FOR  BOYS. 

Dick  Sand;   or,  A    Captain    at    Fifteen.     By  Jules 

Veene.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

"Jules  Verne  himself  never  constructed  a  more  marvellous  tale.  It  con- 
tains the  strongly  marked  features  that  are  always  conspicuous  in  his 
stories — a  racy  humor,  the  manly  vigor  of  his  sentiment,  and  wholesome 
moral  lessons." — Christian  Leader. 

Erling  the  Bold.     A  Tale  of  the    Norse    Sea    Kings. 

By  R.  M.  Ballantyne.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  SI. 00. 

"This  volume  makes  a  really  fascinating  book,  worthy  of  its  telling 
title.  There  is,  we  venture  to  say,  not  a  dull  chapter  in  the  book,  not 
a  page  which  will  not  bear  a  second  reading." — Guardian. 

Mastennan  Ready;  or.  The  Wreck  of  the  Pacific.     By 

Captain  Marryat.    ISmo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1-00. 

"As  racy  a  tale  of  life  at  sea  and  adventure  as  we  have  met  with  for 
some  time.  .  .  .  Altogether  the  sort  of  book  that  boys  will  revel  in." 
—Athenaeum. 

The  Green  Mountain  Boys.  A  Tale  of  the  Early  Set- 
tlement of  Vermont.  By  D.  P.  Thompson.  12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1. 
A  story  of  very  great  interest  for  boys.  In  his  own  forcible  style  the 
author  has  endeavored  to  show  that  determination  and  patriotic  enthu- 
siasm can  accomplish  marvellous  results.  This  story  gives  a  graphic  ac- 
count of  the  early  settlers  of  Vermont,  and  their  patriotic  efforts  in  de- 
fending their  homes  from  the  invasions  of  enemies. 

Every  Inch  a  Sailor.     By   Gordon   Stables.     12nio, 

cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

"A  story  which  is  quite  as  good  in  Its  way  as  'Treasure  Island,'  and  is 
full  of  adventure  of  a  stirring  yet  most  natural  kind.  Although  it  is 
primarily  a  boys'  book,  it  Is  a  real  godsend  to  the  elderly  reader." — 
Evening  limes. 

The  Golden  Galleon.     A  Narrative    of    Adventure  on 

Her  Majesty's  Ship  the  Rerenge.    By  Robert  Lbighton.     ]2mo,  cloth, 

illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

"This  story  should  add  considerably  to  Mr.  Lelghton's  high  reputation. 
Excellent  in  every  respect,  it  contains  every  variety  of  incident.  The  plot 
is  very  cleverly  devised,  and  the  types  of  the  North  Sea  sailors  are 
capital." — The  Times. 

The  Gorilla  Hunters.    A  Tale  of  the  Wilds  of  Africa. 

By  R.  M.  Ballantykb.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

"We  conscientiously  belive  that  boys  will  find  it  capital  reading.  It  is 
full  of  incident  and  mystery,  and  the  mystery  is  kept  up  to  the  last 
moment.  It  is  full  of  stirring  adventure,  daring  and  many  escapes;  and 
it  has  a  historical  interest." — Times. 

Gascoyne   the    Sandalwood    Trader.    By  E.  M.  Bal- 

LANTYNE.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

"One  of  the  best  stories  of  seafaring  life  and  adventure  which  have 
appeared  this  season.  Entertaining  in  the  highest  degree  from  beginning 
to  end,  and  full  of  adventure  which  is  all  the  livelier  for  its  close  con- 
nection vrfth   history." — Spectator. 

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  the 
publisher,  A.  L.  BT7ET,   62-58  Duane  Street,   New  York, 


18        A.  L.  BURT^S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

BOOKS  FOR  BOYS. 

Two  Years  Before  the  Mast.    A  Personal  Narrative  of 

Life  at  Sea.    By  R.  H.  Dana,  Jr.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

"One  of  the  very  best  books  for  boys  that  we  have  seen  for  a  long  time: 
its  author  stands  far  in  advance  of  any  other  writer  for  boys  as  a  teller 
of  stories  of  the  sea." — The  Standard. 

The  Young  Rajah.     A  Story  of  Indian  Life.    By  W. 

H.  G.  Kingston.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

"This  story  will  place  the  author  ail  once  in  the  front  rank.  It  is  full 
of  life  and  adventure,  and  the  Interest  is  sustained  without  a  break  from 
first  to  last." — Standard. 

How  Jack  Mackenzie  Won  His  Epaulettes.    A  Story 

of  the  Crimean  War.     By  Gordon  Stables.     13mo,  cloth,  illustrated, 

price  $1.00. 

"This  must  rank  among  the  few  undeniably  good  boys'  books.  He 
will  be  a  very  dull  boy  indeed  who  lays  it  down  without  wishing  that 
it  had  gone  on  for  at  least  100  pages  more." — Mail. 

The  King's  Pardon.    A  Story  of  Land  and  Sea.    By 

Robert  Overton.    13mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

"An  excellent  story,  the  interest  being  sustained  from  first  to  last. 
This  is,  both  in  Its  intention  and  the  way  the  stor.v  is  told,  one  of  the 
best  books  of  its  kind  which  has  come  before  us  this  year." — Saturday 
Eeview. 

Under  the  Lone  Star.    A  Story  of  the  Eevolntion  in 

Nicaragua.    By  Herbert  Haynes.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  $1.00. 

"We  have  not  of  late  come  across  a  historical  fiction,  whether  intended 
for  boys  or  for  men,  which  deserves  to  be  so  heartily  and  unreservedly 
praised  as  regards  plot,  incidents,  and  spirit  as  this  book.  It  is  its  au- 
thor's masterpiece  as  yet." — Spectator. 

Geoff  and  Jim:  A  Story  of  School  Life.    By  Ismay 

Thorn.    ISmo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  75  cents. 

"This  is  a  prettily  told  story  of  the  life  spent  by  two  motherless  bairns 
at  a  small  preparatory  school.  Both  Geoff  and  Jim  are  very  lovable  char- 
acters, only  Jim  is  the  more  so;  and  the  scrapes  he  gets  into  and  the 
trials  he  endures  will,  no  doubt,  interest  a  large  circle  of  young  readers." 
—Church  Times. 

Jack:   A  Topsy  Turvy  Story.     By  C.  M.   Crawley- 

BoEVEY.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  75  cents. 

"The  illustrations  deserve  particular  mention,  as  they  add  largely  to 
the  interest  of  this  amusing  volume  for  children.  Jack  falls  asleep  with 
his  mind  full  of  the  subject  of  the  fishpond,  and  is  very  much  surprised 
presently  to  find  himself  an  inhabitant  of  Waterworld,  where  he  goes 
through  wonderful  and  edifying  adventures.  A  handsome  and  pleasant 
book." — Literary   World. 

Black  Beauty.     The  Autobiography  of  a  Horse.     By 

Anna  Sewell.    l3mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  75  cents. 

This  is  the  life  story  of  a  horse;  how  he  was  ill  treated  and  well 
cared  for.  The  experiences  of  Black  Beauty,  Ginger,  and  Merrylegs  are 
extremely  interesting.  Wherever  children  are,  whether  boys  or  girls,  there 
this  Autobiography  should  be.  It  Inculcates  habits  of  kindness  to  all  mem- 
bers of  the  animal  creation.     The  literary  merit  of  the  book  is  excellent. 

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  the 
publisher,   A,   L.   BURT,   62-68  Duane  Street,   New  York. 


A.  L.  BURT^S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.        19 

BOOKS  FOR  BOYS. 

Mopsa  the  Fairy.    By  Jean  Ingelow.     13mo,  cloth, 

illustrated,  price  75  cents. 

"Mrs.  Ingelow  is,  to  our  mind,  the  most  charming  of  all  living  writerg 
for  children,  and  'Mopsa'  alone  ought  to  give  her  a  kind  of  pre-emptive 
right  to  the  love  and  gratitude  of  our  young  folks.  It  requires  genius 
to  conceive  a  purely  imaginary  vrork  which  must  of  necessity  deal  with 
the  supernatural,  without  running  into  a  mere  riot  of  fantastic  absurdity; 
but  genius  Mrs.  Ingelow  has,  and  the  story  of  'Jack'  is  as  careless  and 
joyous,  but  as  delicate  as  a  picture  of  childhood." — Eclectic. 

Carrots:  Just  a  Little  Boy,     By  Mrs.  Molesworth. 

12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  75  cents. 

"One  of  the  cleverest  and  most  pleasing  stories  it  has  been  our  good 
fortune  to  meet  with  for  some  time.  Carrots  and  his  sister  are  delight- 
ful little  beings,  whom  to  read  about  is  at  once  to  become  very  fond  of. 
A  genuine  children's  book;  we've  seen  'em  seize  it,  and  read  it  greedily. 
Children  are  first-rate  critics,  and  thoroughly  appreciate  Walter  Crane's 
Illustrations. " — Punch. 

Larry's  Luck.     By  the  author  of  "Miss  Toosey's  Mis- 
sion.'"   13mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  75  cents. 

"It  is  believed  that  this  story,  by  this  favorably  known  author  of 
'Miss  Toosey's  Mission,'  will  be  found  both  highly  interesting  and  instruc- 
tive to  the  young.  Whether  the  readers  are  nine  years  old,  or  twice  as 
old,  they  must  enjoy  this  pretty  volume." — The  Examiner. 

A  Child's  Christmas:  A  Sketch  of  Boy  Life.    By  Mrs. 

Molesworth.    ISmo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  75  cents. 
"This  is  another  of  those  delightful  juvenile  stories  of  which  this  author 
has  written  so  many.     It  is  a  fascinating  little  book,   with  a  charming 
plot,   a  sweet,   pure  atmosphere,   and  teaches  a  wholesome  moral  in  the 
most  winning  manner." — Gazette. 

Chunk,  Fusky  and  Snout.    A  Story  of  Wild  Pigs  for 

Little  People.    By  Gerald  Young.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  75  cents. 

"The  story  Is  an  extremely  interesting  one,  full  of  incident,  told  in  a 

quiet,    healthful    way,    and    with    a    great    deal    of    pleasantly    interfused 

information  about  wild  pigs  and  their  ways.     It  is  sure  to  interest  both 

boys  and  girls." — Christian  Union. 

Daddy's  Boy.    By  L.  T.  Meade.     IP-mo,  cloth,  illus- 
trated, price  75  cents. 

"A  charming  story  of  child  life.  Little  Sir  Rowland  Is  one  of  the 
most  fascinating  of  the  misunderstood  child  heroes  of  the  day.  The  quaint 
doings  and  imaginings  of  this  gentle,  lovable,  but  highly  original  child  are 
Introduced  by  Mrs.  Meade,  with  all  her  accustomed  pathos." — G-uardian. 

Adventures   of   Prince   Prigio.    By   Andrew   Lang. 

12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  75  cents. 

"This  bobk  has  so  much  charm  of  style  and  good  writing  that  it  will  be 
eagerly  read  by  many  other  than  the  young  folk  for  whom  it  is  intended." 
—Black  and  White. 

A  Flock  of  Four.    A  Story  for  Boys  and  Girls.    By 

IsuAT  Thorn.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  75  cents. 
"As  a  gift  book  for  boys  It  is  among  the  best  new  books  of  the  kind. 
The  story  Is  interesting  and  natural,  from  first  to  last." — Gazette. 

For  Bale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  the 
publisher,  A.  L.  BITKT,  62-68  Duane  Street,  New  York. 


20        A.  L.  BURT^S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

BOOKS  FOR  BOYS. 

A  Flat  Iron  for  a  Farthing.     The  Story  of  an  Only 

Son.    By  Juliana  Horatia  Ewing.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  75  cents. 

"A  very  good  book  it  is,  full  of  adventure,  graphically  told.     The  style 

is  just  what  it  should  be;     simple  but  not  bold,    full  of  pleasant  humor, 

and  with  some  pretty  touches  of  feeling.     Like  all  Mrs.   Bwing's  tales, 

it  is  sound,  sensible,  and  wholesome." — Times. 

The  Greek  Heroes.    Fairy  Tales  for  My  Children.    By 

Charles  Kingslet.    ISmo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  75  cents. 

"We  do  not  think  these  heroic  stories  have  ever  been  more  attractively 
told.  .  .  There  is  a  deep  under-current  of  religious  feeling  traceable 
throughout  its  pages  which  is  sure  to  Influence  young  readers  power- 
fully. One  of  the  children's  books  that  will  surely  become  a  classic." — 
London  Review. 

Jackanapes.     By  Juliana  Hoeatia  Ewing.     12mo, 

cloth,  illustrated,  price  75  cents. 

"This  is  one  of  Mrs.  Ewing's  charming  little  stories  for  young  children. 
The  narrative  ...  is  full  of  interest  for  its  real  grace  and  delicacy, 
and  the  exquisiteness  and  purity  of  the  English  in  which  it  is  written." — 
Boston  Advertiser, 

Princess  and  Curdie.    By  George  Macdonald.    12nio, 

cloth,  illustrated,  price  75  cents. 

"One  of  the  cleverest  and  most  pleasing  stories  it  has  been  onr  good 
fortune  to  meet  with  for  some  time.  The  Princess  and  Curdie  are  delight- 
ful little  beings,  whom  to  read  about  is  at  once  to  become  very  fond  of." 
^Examiner. 

Peter  the  Pilgrim.     The  Story  of  a  Boy  and  His  Pet 

Rabbit.    By  L.  T.  Meadh.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  75  cents. 
"Little  Peter,  with  his  soft  heart,  clever  head,  and  brave  spirit  Is  no 
morbid   presentment   of   the   angelic   child    'too   good   to   live,'    and   who   is 
certainly    a   nuisance   on    earth,    but   a   charming   creature,    if   not   a   por- 
trait, whom  it  is  a  privilege  to  meet  even  in  fiction." — The  Academy. 

We  and  the  World.    A  Story  for  Boys.    By  Juliana 

Horatla  Ewing.    ISmo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  75  cents. 
"The  author  has  evidently  studied  the  ways  and  tastes  of  children  and 
got  at  the  secret   of  amusing  them;     and  has  succeeded  in  what  is  not 
so  easy   a   task   as   it   may   seem — in  producing   a   really   good  children's 
book." — Daily  Telegraph. 

Little    Ivan's    Hero.     A    Story    of    Child   Life.    By 

Helen  Milman.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  75  cents. 
"We  should  imagine  those  queer  folk  indeed  who  could  not  read  this 
Btory  with  eager  Interest  and  pleasure,   be  they  boys  or  girls,   young  or 
old.     We  highly  commend  the  style  in  Which  the  book  is  written,  and  the 
spirit  which  pervades  it." — World. 

Dick,  Marjorie  and  Fidge.     The  Wonderful  x4dventures 

of  Three  Little  People.    By  G.  E.  Fareow.    12mo,  cloth,  illust'd,  price  75c. 

"...  To  the  young,  for  whom  It  is  especially  Intended,  this  Is  a 
most  Interesting  book  of  adventures,  well  told,  and  a  pleasant  book  to 
take  up  when  their  wish  is  to  while  away  a  weary  half-hour.  We  have 
seen  no  prettier  gift-book  for  a  long  time." — AthenKum. 

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  the 
publisher,  A.  L.  BTXET,  62-58  Duano  Street,  New  York. 


A.  L.  BURT'S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.        21 

BOOKS  FOR  BOYS.  ~ 

A  Wonder  Book:   For  Boys  and  Girls.     Comprising 

stories  of  Classical  Fables.     By  Nathaniel  Hawthorne.     12mo,  cloth, 
illustrated,  price  75  cents. 

"A  beautiful  little  story.  It  will  be  read  with  delight  by  every  child 
Into  whose  hands  it  is  placed." — Gazette. 

My  Dog  Plato:  His  Adventures  and  Impressions.     By 

H.  M.  Cornwall  Legh.     13mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  75  cents. 
"A  capital   story,    and   one   we   heartily   commend   to   boy   readers,    both 
gentle  and  simple." — Guardian. 

Squib  and  His  Friends.     A  Story  for  Children.     By 

Ellen  Everett  Green.    ISmo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  75  cents. 
"This  book  will  please  by  its  simplicity,   its  tenderness,  and  Its  healthy 
interesting  motive.     It  is  admirably  written."— Scotsman. 

Tom's   Opinion.     The   Story   of   a  Boys'    School.     By 

the  author  of  "  Mss  Toosey's  Mission."    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  75c. 
"A    beautiful    little    story.     ...     It    will    be    read    with    delight    by 
every  boy  into  whose  hands  it  is  placed." — Pall  Mall  Gazette. 

Robin's   Ride.     A   Story  for   Children.     By   Ellinor 

T>.  Adams.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  75  cents. 

"It  is  a  first-rate  boys'  book.  It  is  a  capital  story;  the  characters  ar« 
well  drawn,  and  the  incidents  are  perfectly  natural." — Times. 

Peter  and  Tom.     A   Story  for  Boys.     By   Belle   S. 

Cragin.    13mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  75  cents. 

Peter  and  Tom  were  unlikely  heroes,  particularly  in  the  direction  of 
heroism,  but  the  proper  cliord  was  touched  in  each  of  their  lives,  and 
through  many  trials  and  adventures  they  developed  Christian  principles  and 
successful  business  traits. 

iTurse   Heatherdale's   Story.    By   Mrs.  Molesworth. 

12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  75  cents. 

"  'Nurse  Heatherdale's  Story'  is  all  about  a  small  boy,  who  was  good 
enough,  yet  was  always  getting  into  sone  trouble  through  complications 
in  which  he  was  not  to  blame.  He  is  an  orphan,  though  he  is  cared  for  in 
a  way  by  relations,  who  are  not  so  very  rich,  yet  are  looked  on  as  well 
fixed.  After  many  youthful  trials  and  disappointments  he  falls  into  a 
big  stroke  of  good  luck,  which  lifts  him  and  goes  to  make  other*  happy." 
— Commercial  Advertiser. 

The  Last  of  the  Huggermuggers.    A  Giant  Story.    By 

Christopher  P.  Crauch.    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  75  cents. 

"Fresh  and  charming  in  style,  with  fun  that  is  never  forced,  pathos 
that  is  always  genuine,  and  with  a  distinctly  wholesome  purpose.  This  is 
certain  to  be  a  favorite  with  boys." — Literary  World. 

The    Hunting    of    the    Snark.     By    Lewis    Carroll^ 

author  of  "Alice  in  Wonderland."    12mo,  cloth,  illustrated,  price  75  cents. 

"Whether  as  regarding  author  or  illustrator,  this  book  is  a  jewel 
rarely  to  be  found  nowadays.  Not  a  whit  inferior  to  its  predecessor  in 
grand  extravagance  of  imagination,  and  delicious  allegorical  nonsense." 
— Quarterly  Review. 

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  the 
publisher,  A.  L.   BTTRT,   62-58  Duane  Street,  New  York. 


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